Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1136, H.D. 3, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a task force on charter school governance and clarify the funding mechanism for charter schools.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Charter School Administrative Office, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hookakoo Corporation, Halau Ku Mana, Kamehameha Schools, Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, and 47 individuals.

Your Committee finds that the concept of new century charter schools provides an alternative approach to education by accommodating individual needs of students. However, a recent audit found that the laws that govern charter schools lack clear authority and responsibility assignments, which results in uncertainty. Most importantly, charter schools are in need of a more equitable and stable funding for their basic operations.

It is the intention of your Committee to assist new century charter schools to achieve a more equitable and fair administrative structure to encourage their growth and assistance to the State in education.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by inserting the contents of S.B. 1643, S.D. 2, and making clarifying amendments. Accordingly, the following are among the amendments that were made:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1136, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1136, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.