Report Title:

Principals

Description:

Replaces the current system of tenure for principals with a system where principals will be retained through performance contracts, with reappointment being contingent upon teacher and parent input and indicators of school and student achievement.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1337

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO PRINCIPALS.

 

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

SECTION 1. The Legislature believes that if Hawaii's schools are to improve, school principals must function as leaders as well as managers. Due to the critical role a principal plays in school change and reform – which demand leadership – a number of mainland cities have now ended the practice of building tenure for school principals.

The Legislature also believes that whether an individual can function as an effective leader depends not only on how he or she is perceived by a superior, but also on the perceptions of the teachers the principal leads, and on the confidence of the parents of children attending the school run by the principal. A principal's success is also obviously evident in other things – e.g., whether attendance has improved, achievement has risen, graduation rates have increased and dropout rates have fallen. Whether a principal should remain at a given school should depend upon his or her success there.

The purpose of this Act is to enact education reform in this area by replacing the current system of tenure for principals with a system where principals will be retained through performance contracts where reappointment will be contingent upon teacher and parent input as well as indicators of school and student achievement.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART PRINCIPALS

§302A-__ Performance contracts; principals. (a) Each school board having appropriate jurisdiction shall have the authority to negotiate and enter into a performance-based contract for the purpose of obtaining a principal for a school within the board's jurisdiction.

(b) Performance-based contracts for principals shall be for a term of four years.

(c) Each school board having appropriate jurisdiction shall be responsible for establishing minimum performance standards for principals within their jurisdiction and shall incorporate the standards into the performance contract.

(d) Reappointment of a principal shall be determined by a review process established by the school board having the appropriate jurisdiction. The review process shall include:

(1) Teacher input;

(2) Parent input; and

(3) Student achievement, as measured by school report cards.

§302A-__ Non-renewal of contract; termination. If the contract of a principal is not renewed or is terminated, and it appears that the principal would benefit from professional development assistance, the department shall offer professional development assistance through the University of Hawaii College of Education.

§302A-__ Salary increase. The initial performance contracts offered to principals pursuant to this part shall include a salary increase equal to either a ___ percent raise over the highest scaled salary for a public school teacher employed at the school at which the principal is placed or at least a _____ per cent raise as a result of the enactment of this part.

§302A-__ Tenure. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, principals shall retain the tenure they have earned as teachers but not as principals."

SECTION 3. Section 89-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

"(f) The following individuals shall not be included in any appropriate bargaining unit or be entitled to coverage under this chapter:

(1) Elected or appointed official;

(2) Member of any board or commission;

(3) Top-level managerial and administrative personnel, including the department head, deputy or assistant to a department head, administrative officer, director, or chief of a state or county agency or major division, principal of a public elementary, middle, intermediate, or high school, and legal counsel;

(4) Secretary to top-level managerial and administrative personnel under paragraph (3)[;], except school administrative services assistant;

(5) Individual concerned with confidential matters affecting employee-employer relations;

(6) Part-time employee working less than twenty hours per week, except part-time employees included in unit (5);

(7) Temporary employee of three months' duration or less;

(8) Employee of the executive office of the governor or a household employee at Washington Place;

(9) Employee of the executive office of the lieutenant governor;

(10) Employee of the executive office of the mayor;

(11) Staff of the legislative branch of the State;

(12) Staff of the legislative branches of the counties, except employees of the clerks' offices of the counties;

(13) Any commissioned and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii national guard;

(14) Inmate, kokua, patient, ward, or student of a state institution;

(15) Student help;

(16) Staff of the Hawaii labor relations board; or

(17) Employees of the Hawaii national guard youth challenge academy."

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

By Request