SB2670

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2670
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. School closures and consolidations are driven by scales of economy but are always accompanied by school and community resistance based on assorted legitimate concerns. School closures or consolidations can be best accomplished effectively if the benefits to the system are balanced with benefits to the individual schools and communities.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the expected cost savings, recommend procedures, and provide compensation options for the closure or consolidation of schools.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education the school closure or consolidation task force, which shall consist of five members to be appointed by the superintendent of education.

(b) The school closure or consolidation task force shall select a chairperson from among its members. The number of members necessary to constitute a quorum to do business shall consist of a majority of all members of the school closure or consolidation task force. When a quorum is in attendance, the concurrence of a majority of the members in attendance shall make any action of the school closure or consolidation task force valid. The members of the task force shall not be subject to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(c) The school closure or consolidation task force shall conduct a study on school closures or consolidations, which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) A cost-benefit analysis to determine the expected cost savings of each school closure or consolidation examined; provided that the analysis shall consider both economic and non-economic benefits and costs to the students, families, and community of the surrounding areas associated with a school closure or consolidation;

(2) Recommendations for provisions to ensure that affected students shall be appropriately compensated, including through receiving access to additional programs or services as a result of a school closure or consolidation; and

(3) Recommendations for a permanent process or procedures for evaluating and determining whether a school or schools are appropriate for closure or consolidation, including recommendations for criteria, timelines, and who should conduct the evaluations.

(d) The school closure or consolidation task force shall submit a report on its analysis, findings, and recommendations on each proposed school closure or school consolidation, provisions for compensation to affected students, and processes or procedures for evaluating whether a school or schools are appropriate for closure or consolidation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009, and shall cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

(e) Members of the school closure or consolidation task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

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 2008-2009 to support the operations of the school closure or consolidation task force.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________