Report Title:

Schools; Weighted Student Formula

Description:

Exempts moneys for librarians from the weighted student formula.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2786
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-1303.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department of education the committee on weights to develop a weighted student formula pursuant to section 302A-1303.6.  The committee shall:

     (1)  Create a list of student characteristics that will be weighted;

     (2)  Create a system of weights based upon the student characteristics that may be applied to determine the relative cost of educating any student;

     (3)  Determine specific student weights, including their unit value;

     (4)  Determine which moneys shall be included in the amount of funds to be allocated through the weighted student formula; provided that the weighted student formula shall not include moneys for librarians;

     (5)  Recommend a weighted student formula to the board of education;

     (6)  Perform any other function that may facilitate the implementation of the weighted student formula; and

     (7)  Meet not less than annually to review the weighted student formula and, if the committee deems it necessary, recommend a new weighted student formula for adoption by the board of education."

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-1303.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-1303.6  Weighted student formula.  Based upon recommendations from the committee on weights, the board of education, not less than annually, shall adopt a weighted student formula for the allocation of moneys to public schools that takes into account the educational needs of each student[.]; provided that the weighted student formula shall not include moneys for librarians.  The department, upon the receipt of appropriated moneys, shall use the weighted student formula to allocate funds to public schools.  Principals shall expend moneys provided to the principals' schools.  This section shall only apply to charter schools for fiscal years in which the charter schools elect pursuant to section 302B-13 to receive allocations according to the weighted student formula."

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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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