Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 351 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide clearer delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the administrative structures within the Department of Education (Department), by supporting enhanced parental involvement through parental leave for parents to attend teacher-parent conferences, enabling the Board of Education to set the salaries of Deputy and Assistant Superintendents of Education, and eliminating support centers.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education. Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Government Employees Association Local 152. The Hawaii Teachers Association submitted testimony expressing concerns.

Your Committees find that this measure is part of a package of measures that reflects discussions held during the 2002 interim involving various stakeholders and constituencies within the public education community. Your Committees further find that this measure more clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent of Education and the complex area administrators, as is presently being undertaken within the Department. Your Committees further agree that providing a state policy supporting parental leave for parents to consult with their children's teachers is an important first step to encouraging parents to become more involved and interested in their child's educational progress. Other issues addressed in this measure are being proposed for further consideration during this legislative session as part of the larger discussion of systemic education reform.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 351, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 351, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.