Report Title:

Charter Schools; Executive Director

Description:

Authorizes the organization of charter schools within the State to appoint the executive director of the charter school administrative office.  Removes the board of education's authority over the executive director, except as to the determination of salary.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	965
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
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 302B-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) to (c) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established a charter school administrative office, which shall be attached to the department for administrative purposes only.  The office shall be administered by an executive director, who shall be appointed without regard to chapters 76 and 89 by [the board based upon the recommendations of] an organization of charter schools operating within the State [or] from a list of nominees submitted by the charter schools.  The [board] organization of charter schools may hire the executive director on a multi-year contract.  The executive director may hire necessary staff without regard to chapters 76 and 89 to assist in the administration of the office.

     (b)  The executive director, under the direction of the [board] charter school organization and in consultation with the charter schools, shall be responsible for the internal organization, operation, and management of the charter school system, including:

     (1)  Preparing and executing the budget for the charter schools, including submission of the budget request to the board, the governor, and the legislature;

     (2)  Allocating annual appropriations to the charter schools and distribution of federal funds to charter schools;

     (3)  Complying with applicable state laws related to the administration of the charter schools;

     (4)  Preparing contracts between the charter schools and the department for centralized services to be provided by the department;

     (5)  Preparing contracts between the charter schools and other state agencies for financial or personnel services to be provided by the agencies to the charter schools;

     (6)  Providing independent analysis and recommendations on charter school issues;

     (7)  Representing charter schools and the charter school system in communications with the board, the governor, and the legislature;

     (8)  Providing advocacy, assistance, and support for the development, growth, progress, and success of charter schools and the charter school system;

     (9)  Providing guidance and assistance to charter applicants and charter schools to enhance the completeness and accuracy of information for board review;

    (10)  Assisting charter applicants and charter schools in coordinating their interactions with the board as needed;

    (11)  Assisting the board to coordinate with charter schools in board investigations and evaluations of charter schools;

    (12)  Serving as the conduit to disseminate communications from the board and department to all charter schools;

    (13)  Determining charter school system needs and communicating [such] those needs [with] to the board and department;

    (14)  Establishing a dispute resolution and mediation panel; and

    (15)  Upon request by one or more charter schools, assisting in the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the exclusive representative of its employees.

     (c)  The executive director shall be evaluated annually by the [board.] organization of charter schools."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________