Report Title:

DOE; Business Managers; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes fifteen complex area business manager positions; appropriates funds for a business manager to be hired at each department of education school complex area.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	886
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to business managers for the department of education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that school, complex, and complex area administrators are responsible for wide-ranging financial assignments, which detract the focus from the curriculum and instruction endeavors of the school, the promotion of student achievement, and the continuous improvement within the complex area.  These student-achievement centered initiatives are even more critical with the required academic rigor of the No Child Left Behind Act and with the continued implementation of the department of education strategic plan.

     The legislature further finds that the weighted student formula represents a method of allocating budgets to schools, based on student needs and school characteristics so available resources are better targeted to support student achievement.  The weighted student formula also provides school principals with increased control and flexibility over their school budgets to implement initiatives to improve student achievement.

     The legislature believes that the increased mandates and responsibilities on school, complex, and complex area administrators requires the assistance of highly knowledgeable and qualified individuals with business backgrounds to allow schools to efficiently and effectively manage the operational and financial aspects of the school, complex, or complex area.

     The purposes of business manager positions within the department of education are to:

     (1)  Provide direct business and financial management assistance and oversight to principals and complex area superintendents in the areas of school-based budgeting;

     (2)  Develop weighted student formula financial plans;

     (3)  Conduct financial reporting and monitoring;

     (4)  Conduct budget versus actual variance analysis;

     (5)  Prepare and present financial recommendations to the school and complex area administrators;

     (6)  Oversee facilities management, including repair and maintenance and capital improvement projects;

     (7)  Understand and provide guidance on procurement transactions and laws;

     (8)  Implement internal financial controls monitoring, following department of education financial guidelines, policies, and procedures; and

     (9)  Provide overall business administration.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish fifteen complex area business manager positions and to appropriate funds for a business manager position at each school complex area to provide financial and operational advice and counsel to school, complex, and complex area administrators and support staff.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-604.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the title and subsection (a) to read as follows:

"§302A-604.5  District business and fiscal officers[.] and complex area business managers.  (a)  The department shall establish [eight] fifteen permanent civil service exempt full-time equivalent complex area business [and fiscal officer] manager positions; provided that [four] one full-time equivalent complex area business [and fiscal officer positions] manager position shall be assigned to [the Oahu school districts, with the remaining positions to be assigned to school complexes based on need;] each of the fifteen complex areas in the department; and provided further that the complex area business [and fiscal officer:] manager:

     (1)  Shall be a highly knowledgeable and qualified individual and have a business and facilities management background;

     (2)  Shall not be subject to the requirements of [[]chapter 76[]]; and

     (3)  Shall not be required to be a certified teacher."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to hire one full-time business manager for each department of education school complex area to provide financial and operational advice and counsel to school, complex, and complex area administrators and support staff.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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