Modifies the cap on the number of new century charter schools in the state by limiting the number of new schools that can be established each year. Requires that priority in establishing these schools be given as follows: 1) first, new century charter schools in those districts where no new century charter schools exist; and 2) intermediate or high school-level new century charter schools in those districts where only elementary-level new century charter schools exist.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature supported the concept of new century charter schools as "a new approach to education that is free of bureaucratic red tape and accommodating of the individual needs of students to allow the State to dramatically improve its educational standards for the twenty-first century" (Act 62, Session Laws of Hawaii, 1999).

However, the legislature finds that there are certain school districts in which there are no new century charter schools. Additionally, some districts that have elementary-level new century charter schools do not have intermediate or high school-level new century charter schools for their students to graduate into.

The purpose of this Act is to modify the cap on the number of new century charter schools in the state by limiting the number of new schools that can be established each year; provided that priority in establishing these schools shall be as follows:

SECTION 2. Section 302A-1182, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) [Up to a total of twenty-three schools may be established as] No more than two new century charter schools[.] may be established per year; provided that priority in establishing these schools shall be as follows:

These new century charter schools may be established by:

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.