THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2615
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO A SCHOOL SUPPLY SUBSIDY PILOT PROGRAM.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, provides federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure educational success.  The legislature further finds that a pilot program to subsidize school supplies for schools composed entirely of students eligible for participation in Title I would be a useful pilot to identify methods for relieving the financial burden of education on low-income families.

     As a school composed entirely of students eligible for participation in Title I, the legislature identifies Na‘alehu elementary school for a pilot program.  The legislature further finds that many students who attend Na‘alehu elementary school live in rural areas across Ka‘ū and experience geographical challenges such as limited opportunities and isolation from educational resources.

     The legislature further finds that, based on the school supplies list for the 2020-2021 school year at Na‘alehu elementary school and the average cost of school supplies at local stores, the cost for school supplies by grade are as follows:  grade one:  $4,451.58, grade two:  $1,605.86, grade three:  $3,646.08, grade four:  $5,186.94, grade five:  $4,913.63, and grade six:  $3,969.

     The legislature further finds that, despite the current economic situation, Hawai‘i's schools should focus resources to retaining and developing those qualified teachers, support staff, and administrators who collaborate to create and sustain the successful learning environments necessary to graduate every student.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and make an appropriation for a one-year school supply subsidy pilot program at Na‘alehu elementary school.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Beginning with school year 2020-2021, the department of education shall establish and implement a one-year school supply subsidy pilot program at Na‘alehu elementary school.

     (b)  The department of education shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the school supply subsidy pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2021 regular session.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues the sum of $23,773.09, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement a one-year school supply subsidy pilot program at Na‘alehu elementary school.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Naalehu Elementary School

 

Description:

Establishes and makes an appropriation for a one-year school supply subsidy pilot program at Naalehu elementary school.

 

 

 

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