SB1136 SD2

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that pursuant to Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, as amended, (Act 51, as amended), the weighted student formula was established to provide more equity in funding for public schools through the use of weighted characteristics affecting the relative cost of educating each student attending a public school. Act 51, as amended, also established the committee on weights to develop a weighted student formula based upon student characteristics, assign specific weights for the characteristics, identify what funds are included in the weighted student formula allocation, and perform any other functions necessary for the implementation of the weighted student formula.

After the committee on weights I made its recommendations to the board of education and a weighted student formula was established in 2005, it became clear that many small and rural schools would be severely and adversely affected upon full implementation. Therefore, it became necessary for the legislature to appropriate additional funds to the public schools to off-set monetary deficits resulting from the transition to the weighted student formula.

The legislature continues to support and is committed to the objectives and goals of Act 51, as amended, but is mindful that the implementation of the weighted student formula must continue to be refined to appropriately and equitably address the needs of all students and schools. As great care was taken to evaluate, develop, and implement the weighted student formula approach, equal care and consideration must be invested in fashioning an improved method for providing adequate and appropriate funding to the schools.

The legislature further finds that the schools that appear to suffer the most under the weighted student formula fall into certain categories, such as schools with smaller student enrollment, geographically isolated schools, schools with a large number of transient students or non-English proficient students, or a combination of these. Therefore, although these characteristics are already taken into consideration under the weighted student formula, adequate funds have not been available to address these disadvantages. The legislature believes that schools and students with these characteristics that suffer adverse impacts under the weighted student formula must be provided additional funding.

The purpose of this part is to augment the weighted student formula allocations to bring funding of negatively impacted schools closer to adequacy.

SECTION 2. 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 augment funds provided under weighted student formula allocations for the educational needs of the following students negatively impacted by the implementation of the weighted student formula:

(1) Students in geographically isolated schools;

(2) Students in multitrack schools;

(3) Transient students;

(4) Students in small schools; and

(5) Non-English proficient students.

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

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that the board of education, in 2002, approved the superintendent's proposal to establish complex areas, headed by complex area superintendents and comprised of two or more school complexes. Each school complex consists of a high school and the intermediate or middle and elementary schools that feed into it. The establishment of complex areas allows each administrator to focus on the needs of the supporting schools and school complexes to provide better supervision and support.

The legislature believes that the establishment of complex areas provides the opportunity for the more efficient management of funds and personnel among schools and school complexes contained therein.

The purpose of this part is to authorize and appropriate funds for complex area superintendents to provide support to school administrators, school community councils, staff, and teachers in the form of training, expertise, and materials necessary for schools to fulfill their responsibilities.

SECTION 4. Section 302A-604, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302A-604 Complex area superintendents. (a) The superintendent of education, with the approval of the board, shall appoint complex area superintendents for schools.

(b) The complex area superintendents shall supervise the delivery of administrative and instructional support services within their respective complex areas, including:

(1) Personnel, fiscal, and facilities support;

(2) Monitoring of compliance with applicable state and federal laws; and

(3) Curriculum development, student assessment, and staff development services.

(c) The complex area superintendents shall provide support to school administrators, school community councils, staff, and teachers in the areas specified under subsection (b); provided that the support shall be provided in the form of training, expertise, and materials necessary for schools to effectively meet the responsibilities referenced in subsection (b)."

SECTION 5. 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 2008-2009, for complex area superintendents to provide support to school administrators, school community councils, staff, and teachers for:

(1) Personnel, fiscal, and facilities support;

(2) Monitoring of compliance with applicable state and federal laws; and

(3) Curriculum development, student assessment, and staff development services,

in the manner specified in section 302A-604(c), Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that funds provided shall be in addition to weighted student formula allocations.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this part.

PART III

SECTION 6. 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, only for junior kindergarten classes with fifteen or fewer students; provided that underachieving schools and schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price lunches shall be given priority.

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

PART IV

SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007; provided that part II of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1136
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII