THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1174

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that during the 2010 regular session, the legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 108, S.D. 2, requesting the convening of a task force to establish a consistent funding formula, process, or both, by which equitable funding to charter schools could be determined. 

     The legislature further finds that facilities funding for charter schools is a critically important issue but recognizes that establishment of a needs-based facilities funding formula is a work in progress. 

     The purpose of this Act is to require the charter school administrative office to include a detailed explanation as to the formula used and funding request breakdown by school with any budget request for needs-based facilities funding.  This Act also re-establishes the charter schools funding task force created by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 108, S.D. 2 (2010), and requires the task force to develop a needs-based facilities funding formula, process, or both, for charter schools.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302B-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The executive director, under the direction of the panel and in consultation with the charter schools, shall be responsible for the internal organization, operation, and management of the charter school system, including:

     (1)  Preparing and executing the budget and the capital improvement projects request for the charter schools, including submission of the all means of finance budget request that reflects all anticipated expenditures to the panel, the board, the governor, and the legislature; provided that, in preparing the budget request with regard to needs-based facilities funding, the executive director shall ensure that, as a budget item separate from other operating costs, the request [provides:

         (A)  Funding for projected enrollment for the next school year for each charter school;

         (B)  A calculation showing the per-pupil funding based on the department of budget and finance's debt service appropriation for the department of education divided by the department of education's actual enrollment that school year; and

         (C)  That no less than seventy per cent of the amount appropriated shall be allocated by the office to start-up charter schools on a per-pupil basis; provided that the funds remaining shall be allocated to charter schools with facilities needs as recommended by the office and approved by the panel;]

          is accompanied by a detailed explanation as to the formula used and funding request breakdown by school;

     (2)  Allocating annual appropriations to the charter schools and distribution of federal funds to charter schools;

     (3)  Complying with applicable state laws related to the administration of the charter schools;

     (4)  Preparing contracts between the charter schools and the department for centralized services to be provided by the department;

     (5)  Preparing contracts between the charter schools and other state agencies for financial or personnel services to be provided by the agencies to the charter schools;

     (6)  Providing independent analysis and recommendations on charter school issues;

     (7)  Representing charter schools and the charter school system in communications with the board, the governor, and the legislature;

     (8)  Providing advocacy, assistance, and support for the development, growth, progress, and success of charter schools and the charter school system;

     (9)  Providing guidance and assistance to charter applicants and charter schools to enhance the completeness and accuracy of information for panel review;

    (10)  Assisting charter applicants and charter schools in coordinating their interactions with the panel as needed;

    (11)  Assisting the panel to coordinate with charter schools in panel investigations and evaluations of charter schools;

    (12)  Serving as the conduit to disseminate communications from the panel, the board, and the department to all charter schools;

    (13)  Determining charter school system needs and communicating those needs to the panel, the board, and the department;

    (14)  Establishing a dispute resolution and mediation process; and

    (15)  Upon request by one or more charter schools, assisting in the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the exclusive representative of its employees."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  There is established within the charter school administrative office for administrative purposes only, the charter schools facilities funding task force.

     (b)  The task force shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The chief financial officer of the charter school administrative office;

     (2)  The chief financial officer of the department of education;

     (3)  The director of finance, or the director's designee;

     (4)  The chairperson of the house of representatives committee on finance;

     (5)  The chairperson of the senate committee on ways and means;

     (6)  A representative of the Hookakoo Corporation;

     (7)  The executive director of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network, or the executive director's designee; and

     (8)  A representative of the charter school review panel.

     (c)  The task force shall determine a needs-based facilities funding formula, process, or both, to be used by all agencies in the calculation of charter school facilities funding in the State.  In making this determination the task force shall examine various aspects of needs-based facilities funding.

     (d)  The charter school administrative office shall provide staff support to the task force.

     (e)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012.  

     The task force shall cease to exist on July 1, 2012.


     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Charter Schools; Funding Formula; Task Force

 

Description:

Amends section 302B-8, HRS, to require budget requests by the charter school administrative office for needs-based facilities funding to be accompanied by a detailed explanation as to the formula used and the funding request breakdown by school.  Establishes a task force to determine a needs-based facilities funding formula, process, or both, to be used by all agencies in the calculation of charter school facilities funding.  (SD1).

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.