SB2667 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2667
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, in 2002, the board of education approved the establishment of school complex areas, comprised of two or more school complexes, with each complex consisting of one high school and the intermediate or middle and elementary schools that feed into it. The legislature further finds that the complex areas are headed by complex area superintendents to allow for school administration closer to its own constituencies. The legislature believes that the establishment of complex areas provides the opportunity for the more efficient management of schools and school complexes contained therein. The allocation of resources within a complex area could also prove highly cost-effective. More autonomy in the management of complex areas can yield beneficial results for the students, staff, and administrators. For these reasons, greater discretion for the allocation of resources should lie with the complex area superintendents.

The legislature finds that induction teacher mentoring for new teachers and teachers who are new to Hawaii, leadership training provide valuable tools for the development of quality educators within the State. The allocation of resources within a complex area to provide for these valuable programs, as well as other programs to support, recruit, and retain qualified teachers and provide for their professional development can also prove to be highly cost-effective.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to the complex areas for leadership training, teacher induction mentoring, academic coaches, and programs or initiatives for professional development or increased teacher retention.

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 2008-2009 for the purposes of this Act; provided that the funds shall be allocated to the complex areas on a per-pupil basis, which shall be in addition to weighted student formula allocations; provided further that the funds appropriated shall be allocated to provide for the following:

(1) Leadership training, which may include but not be limited to participation in Harvard Change Leadership programs;

(2) Teacher induction mentoring;

(3) Academic coaches for school programs including but not limited to robotics, speech and debate, and science clubs; provided that the department of education shall establish and provide funding at three different levels, based upon the total number of students participating in the club or activity and the total number of hands-on hours the coach spends with the students;

(4) Programs or initiatives for professional development for teachers; and

(5) Programs or initiatives to increase teacher retention.

The sum 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, 2008.