STAND. COM. REP. NO.  273

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 985

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 985 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to return the Department of Education (DOE) to a system divided by districts in lieu of the current complex area structure.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  DOE, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, and Hawaii State Teachers Association offered comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by replacing its contents with the following provisions to improve accountability and transparency in the public schools by:

     (1)  Requiring DOE, in its evaluation of the effectiveness of complex area superintendents and principals in supporting fiscal accountability, to include an evaluation of the accountability measures taken in regards to the use of resources by schools;

     (2)  Requiring each principal to develop and present to the school community council (SCC) the school budget process as it aligns with the school's academic and financial plans;

     (3)  Requiring the Board of Education to develop an appeals process for SCCs to appeal decisions made by the principal;

     (4)  Requiring school principals to exercise various means available, including electronic media and websites, to engage and consult with teachers, parents, and students to solicit input and advice on the use of money, positions, and other resources available to the school; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 985, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 985, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair