THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2587
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to charter schools.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that although section 302B‑12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides some direction in determining which categories of funds are included in the calculation of per-pupil funding to charter schools, there is still ambiguity in the precise determination of which moneys are included.  The legislature finds that more information is necessary to establish equitable funding allocations across non-charter public schools and charter schools.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a charter schools funding task force to establish a consistent and equitable method of allocating funding and resources to charter schools.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a charter schools funding task force that shall consist of five members as follows:

     (1)  The chief financial officer of the charter school administrative office;

     (2)  The chief financial officer of the department of education;

     (3)  The director of budget and finance, or the director's designee;

     (4)  The chairperson of the house of representatives committee on finance; and

     (5)  The chairperson of the senate committee on ways and means.

     (b)  The duties of the charter schools funding task force shall include but not be limited to the following:

     (1)  Gathering detailed information on the existing funding sources of the charter schools' per-pupil allocation;

     (2)  Gathering detailed information on the department of budget and finance's method of calculating the department of education's per-pupil allocation and the charter schools' per-pupil allocation amounts;

     (3)  Identifying discrepancies and the reasons for discrepancies in calculations of per-pupil allocations for non-charter public schools and charter schools by various agencies; and

     (4)  Recommending the portion of debt service, repair and maintenance, and capital improvement expenses to be paid by charter schools.

     (c)  The charter schools funding task force shall select a chairperson from among its members.  The charter schools funding task force members shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     (d)  The charter schools funding task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2011.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Charter Schools; Task Force; Funding Formula

Description:

Establishes a task force to clarify sources of funding for the per-pupil funding formula for charter schools, identify discrepancies in the calculation of the formula for charter schools and non-charter schools, and recommend the portion of certain expenses that should be allocated to charter schools.  Requires report to the legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.