Bill Text: HI HB985 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: School Finances; School Community Councils; Appeals Process

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 32-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB985 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB985-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  840

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 985

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 985, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to improve accountability and transparency in the public schools by:

 

(1)  Requiring the Department of Education (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 the school budget process as it aligns with the school's academic and financial plans;

 

(3)  Requiring the Board of Education to develop a process for school community councils to appeal decisions made by the principal to set aside council decisions; and

 

(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.

 

     The Hawaii State Teachers Association and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  DOE opposed this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

(1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

 

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 985, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 985, H.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

		____________________________ MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair