STAND. COM. REP. NO. 342

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1606

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1606 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHERS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to help ensure Hawaii's students receive a quality education by:

(1) Establishing annual salary increases for teachers who meet various performance-based and other requirements; and

(2) Creating a comprehensive teacher evaluation process.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association and Department of Education (DOE) supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Budget and Finance (B&F) opposed this measure.

Education is one of the most important aspects of a modern society. Your Committees find that a key factor in ensuring a quality education for all of Hawaii's students is the quality of their teachers. One way of ensuring that the teaching staff of any school is qualified is through an evaluation process that brings together teachers and staff to assist those who are not as proficient in certain areas in improving their skills. However, it is equally important to reward those individuals who strive for excellence to enhance the educational system. Incremental annual salary increases serves as a positive reinforcement for skill improvement among teachers and staff.

Your Committees understand the concerns raised by DOE and B&F regarding the negative impact this measure may have upon the ability of the State to negotiate collective bargaining agreements. However, your Committees note that incremental "merit based" salary increases were used by DOE in the 1970s and that this measure will enhance the improvement of Hawaii's educational system, which is of the utmost importance.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1606 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Education,

 

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair

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KIRK CALDWELL, Chair