STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1187

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 61

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 61 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO RESTRICT ANY PERSON FROM APPLYING FOR THE POSITION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION IF THAT PERSON WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHEN THE SEARCH AND HIRING PROCESS WAS DEVELOPED OR INITIATED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Board of Education to restrict any person from applying for the position of Superintendent of Education if that person was a member of the Board of Education when the search and hiring process was developed or initiated.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Native Hawaiian Education Council and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.

     Your Committee finds that the process of selecting and hiring the Superintendent of Education is left entirely to the discretion of the Board of Education.  Your Committee further finds that the Superintendent of Education plays a vital role in developing and implementing education policy throughout the State.  Your Committee additionally finds that the important role of the Superintendent of Education underscores the critical need for all applicants for the position to be thoroughly, fairly, and objectively evaluated.

     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 S.R. No. 61 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair