HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	29
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING A FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's public education system has been criticized for its inadequate delivery of educational services and for poor student achievement; and

 

     WHEREAS, the large bureaucracy of the Department of Education presents roadblocks that could prevent the Department of Education and the individual schools from successfully performing their duties and serving the needs of Hawaii's children; and

 

     WHEREAS, recently, the Department became the subject of local and national news when furloughs were imposed in the public schools, which reduced the number of instructional days for students; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department's leadership was decentralized through the creation of the complex area system to place a greater number of decisions and more funds directly in the hands of individual school administrators; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, was intended to implement comprehensive reform in Hawaii's public schools by, among other things:

 

     (1)  Reducing the bureaucracy that hampers the effectiveness of the Department of Education; and

 

     (2)  Focusing more resources and control at the individual school level; and

 

     WHEREAS, today, the Department of Education remains under close public scrutiny, both locally and nationally; and

 

     WHEREAS, the public has raised many questions about the Department's operations, including its finances and management; and

 

     WHEREAS, a financial and management audit of the Department of Education is long overdue; and

 

     WHEREAS, an audit of the Department would improve critical educational services provided by this large taxpayer-funded institution that absorbs a large percentage of the state budget, by examining in-depth the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental operations, both at the management and administrative levels, including the:

 

     (1)  Organization and management of the Department of Education, especially with regard to personnel; and

 

     (2)  Efficacy of fiscal operations, especially with respect to spending and accountability; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Department remain committed to providing quality education for all of Hawaii's children, ensuring that all staff members and resources are dedicated to that mission; and

 

     WHEREAS, an audit would ensure that the Department of Education adheres to its mission to provide all of Hawaii's children with the tools they need to be successful in a global society; and

 

     WHEREAS, an audit of the entire Department of Education system will be costly and time consuming and thus warrants focus on a specific program; now therefore

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Auditor is requested to perform a financial and management audit of the Department of Education's EDN-150 and related services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of any findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this

Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Financial and Management Audit