STAND. COM. REP. NO. 761

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1487

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1487, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a fair process for the closure or consolidation of public schools by:

 

     (1)  Specifying the Department of Education's authority to close or consolidate schools in conformance with rules adopted by the Department;

 

     (2)  Requiring the Department of Education to consider the effects of the closure or consolidation and the availability of suitable alternative schools for displaced students and teachers;

 

     (3)  Requiring the Department of Education to give notice to affected schools prior to closure or consolidation; and

 

     (4)  Requiring affected schools to propose a plan demonstrating ways to increase enrollment, raise additional revenue, or make additional cost reductions to avoid closure or consolidation.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Elisabeth Chun, Executive Director, Good Beginnings Alliance.  Written comments were received from Kathryn S. Matayoshi, Superintendent of Education, Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that public school closures and consolidations reduce costs and promote efficient uses of public school facilities.  However, these efforts often have a significant impact on students, families, and school staff.  This measure establishes a process that ensures consideration of the effects of school closures and consolidations before they are imposed, while requiring affected schools and their communities to work towards specified target goals that would allow these schools to remain open.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1487, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair