STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2284

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2230

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2230 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate additional funds to the Department of Education for the development, renewal, and maintenance of classes in the fine arts at the secondary school level.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by four individuals.  Testimony in opposition of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

     Your Committee finds that during the No Child Left Behind Act era, we find our public schools struggling with having to divert funds from valuable programs and courses, such as those in the arts or physical education, to meet the mandates of the law.  Your Committee further finds that programs and courses in the fine arts or performing arts are extremely important to a student's development and future ability to be accepted into certain colleges or universities.  This measure provides funding to reinstitute and support fine arts programs at the secondary school level.  The schools and the Department of Education have committed to working together throughout the session to develop cost estimates for fine arts or performing arts programs in public high schools that are in need of funding.  Your Committee determines that the provision of funding as a one-time cost appropriation will be invaluable in providing for necessary equipment, such as musical instruments, to enhance the education of our public school students. 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that funds shall be used for equipment or other one-time cost items in support of performing or fine arts programs or courses.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2230, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2230, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair