HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

140

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A COST BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

 

WHEREAS, Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004 implemented comprehensive education reform in Hawaii's public schools; and

WHEREAS, part of that reform included establishing a weighted student formula that allocates funds to schools based on a system of weighted characteristics that apply to every student in the public schools; and

WHEREAS, Act 51 also established a Committee on Weights to determine, among other things, which moneys shall be included in the amount of funds to be allocated through the weighted student formula; and

WHEREAS, the Committee on Weights identified twenty-four per cent of non-discretionary funds attributable to special education, federal funds, and special and trust funds; and

WHEREAS, the Committee on Weights identified forty-eight per cent of discretionary funds attributable to the weighted student formula, consisting of:

(1) Custodial classroom cleaners, telephone, minor repair and maintenance;

(2) Comprehensive student support services;

(3) Lump sum employee fringe benefits;

(4) English for second language learners, gifted and talented students, etc.; and

(5) Lump sum programs; and

WHEREAS, the remaining twenty-eight per cent has been identified by the Committee on Weights as attributable to the Department of Education, including:

(1) Centralized special education services;

(2) Food services, student transportation, and utilities;

(3) Instructional support;

(4) Federal funds centrally administered;

(5) Adult education; and

(6) State and district/complex area administration; and

WHEREAS, this twenty-eight per cent is expended directly by the Department of Education and, except for rough percentages of the amounts allocated to each of the six areas above, the allocation lacks specificity and accountability; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the Department of Education is requested to provide a cost breakdown analysis of the budget amount allocated to the Department of Education (twenty-eight per cent) that is not included in the weighted student formula or the non-discretionary funds; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department is requested to include a cost breakdown by individual school and by budget item or service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to report the cost breakdown and any other findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Education.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; Budget