SB1715

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1715
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation for the construction of a child care facility and preschool by seagull schools.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Seagull Schools is a private, nonprofit corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that has been serving Hawaii's communities by developing and operating early education and childcare facilities for thirty-five years. The legislature further finds that Seagull Schools has become one of the State's largest childcare providers, serving approximately eight hundred thirty children of mixed socio-economic backgrounds. The school's centers are located in Kailua, Kapolei, Honolulu, and Ewa beach, on the island of Oahu, and on the Kohala coast, on the island of Hawaii.

The legislature finds that the school's child development programs are known for their exceptional ability to provide quality care and early education at affordable rates that meet the needs of working parents. Besides having fees that are among the lowest in the State, the school also provides generous financial aid to low-income families for tuition assistance.

The legislature further finds that in 1999, Seagull Schools began working with the owners of the Ko Olina Resort to develop a childcare center and preschool that would provide services to Waianae coast children and children of employees that work at the resort. A capital campaign was implemented to raise construction funding for the school at Ko Olina and for an additional new school at Ewa beach. The joint campaign received funding from many sources including a grant from the State of $1,000,000, which was then used to architecturally design both centers and complete the construction of the Ewa Beach childcare center. However, additional funding is necessary for the construction of these educational facilities.

The purpose of this Act is to provide financial support to Seagull Schools in the construction of a childcare center and preschool in Ko Olina.

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, as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for Seagull Schools for the construction of a childcare facility and preschool in Ko Olina.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________