THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2359
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Reinventing Education Act of 2004 (Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004) established a weighted student formula to allocate moneys to schools according to the different costs of educating students with different needs. Despite the intended equitable distribution of funds, the legislature finds that the weighted student formula has placed small, remote schools at a disadvantage. In the case of Hāna high and elementary school, the budgetary shortfall has resulted in the loss of several well-qualified teachers and has threatened the school's ability to offer minimum course requirements for students to earn high school diplomas. If Hāna high school is unable to offer its students the requisite courses for graduation, those students will have to endure a nearly forty-mile, two-hour drive to the next closest public high school, King Kekaulike high school.

The legislature further finds that despite the current economic situation, remote schools should be funded to retain the minimal personnel and resources necessary to graduate students. One way to address this is to allow these schools to receive supplemental funding based on their remote status.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize supplemental categorical funding for remote schools.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Remote schools categorical funding. (a) For the purpose of this section, "remote school" means any public school, as defined in section 302A-101, except a charter school governed by chapter 302D, that is a high school:

(1) Located at least a one-hour drive away from the next nearest public high school; or

(2) Located on the island of Lanai, Molokai, or Niihau;

provided that if a high school is combined with an elementary, middle, intermediate, or other lower level of schooling, that entire school shall be deemed a high school for the purpose of this section.

(b) Subject to legislative appropriations, a remote school may receive supplemental categorical funding to support additional instructional and support staff.

(c) Any supplemental categorical funding provided to a remote school pursuant to this section shall be in addition to the allocation determined under the weighted student formula that is made to the remote school."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for remote schools categorical funding pursuant to this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Weighted Student Formula; Remote Schools; Hāna High and Elementary School; Supplemental Categorical Funding; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes allocation of supplemental categorical funding to remote schools, subject to legislative appropriation. Appropriates funds.

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