STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1304-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 82

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 82 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY IN ITS MEETINGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Board of Education to provide greater transparency in the conduct of its meetings, the way in which it notifies the public of its meetings, and the way in which testimony is submitted at its meetings.

Furthermore, the following approaches were recommended as a way for the Board to increase the transparency of its operations:

(1)  Publishing the email addresses of Board members and making them available to the public;

(2)  Ensuring greater public input by holding public meetings after regular work hours or on weekends, when possible, to accommodate concerned individuals who may not be available to attend such meetings held earlier during the day;

(3)  Holding its general business meetings in each county of the State at least once a year; and

(4)  Publishing more detailed and specific agenda items, as well as an email address of an appropriate contact person to ensure clarity and transparency.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Board of Education provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 82 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair