Bill Text: HI SB2159 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating To Education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-21 - Referred to EDU, WAM. [SB2159 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2159-Introduced.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2159

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 Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, known as the Reinventing Education Act of 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.  For example, in the county of Maui, at Hana high and elementary school, the budgetary shortfall has resulted in the loss of several well-qualified teachers from the school.  The legislature finds that these losses have threatened the ability of this school to offer minimum course requirements for students to earn high school diplomas.  The legislature further finds that if Hana high and elementary school is unable to offer its high school 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.

     The legislature finds that despite the current economic situation, remote schools should be funded to retain the minimal personnel and resources necessary to graduate students.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize supplemental funding for remote schools.

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

     "§302A-     Remote schools funding.  (a)  Subject to legislative appropriations, a remote school may receive supplemental funding to support the hiring of additional instruction and support staff.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, "remote school" means any public school, as defined in section 302A-101, that is a high school located:

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

     (2)  On the islands of Lanai, Molokai, or Niihau;

provided that if a high school is combined with an elementary, middle, intermediate, or other lower level of schooling, the entire school shall be deemed a high school for purposes of this section; provided further that this section shall not apply to any charter school governed by chapter 302D."

     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 to fund remote schools 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:

_____________________________

 

By Request


 


 

Report Title:

Maui County Package; Education; Remote Schools Categorical Funding; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes supplemental funding for remote schools in the State.  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.

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