THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2570

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X, SECTION 2, OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION, TO CHANGE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM AN ELECTED BOARD TO AN APPOINTED BOARD.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the responsibility and authority for public education is ambiguous.  The board of education is responsible for establishing education policy, yet the legislature has the authority to fund public education and therefore can continue, discontinue, or create programs without the approval of the board of education and some members of the public believe that the governor has the authority to make changes in the public school system.  The legislature finds that significant changes to the public education system, including clearer accountability for the performance, administration, and progress of the public education system, are needed to improve the quality of education and student achievement.

     The purpose of this Act is to propose a constitutional amendment to change the method of selection of the voting members of the board of education from election to appointment by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate.

     SECTION 2.  Article X, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"BOARD OF EDUCATION

     Section 2.  There shall be a board of education [composed of members who shall be elected in a nonpartisan manner by qualified voters, as provided by law, from two at-large school board districts.  The first school board district shall be comprised of the island of Oahu and all other islands not specifically enumerated.  The second school board district shall be comprised of the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Kauai and Niihau.  Each at-large school board district shall be divided into departmental school districts, as may be provided by law.  There shall be at least one member residing in each departmental school district.] whose voting members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, from pools of qualified candidates presented to the governor by the board of education candidate nomination commission, as provided by law.  The Hawaii State Student Council shall select a public high school student to serve as a nonvoting member on the board of education."

    SECTION 3.  The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

    "Shall the voting members of the board of education be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, from pools of qualified candidates presented to the governor by the board of education candidate nomination board, as provided by law?"

     SECTION 4.  Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New constitutional material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Board of Education; Constitutional Amendment

 

Description:

Proposes a constitutional amendment to require voting members of the board of education to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, as provided by law.

 

 

 

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