HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

140

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A COST BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

 

WHEREAS, Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, implemented comprehensive education reform in Hawaii's public schools; and

WHEREAS, part of that reform included establishing a weighted student formula that allocates funds to schools based on a system of weighted characteristics and needs of public school students; and

WHEREAS, Act 51 also established a Committee on Weights to determine, among other things, which programs and funds are to be allocated through the weighted student formula; and

WHEREAS, the Committee on Weights found that 24 percent of the Department of Education (DOE) budget is to be allocated to the schools and are non-discretionary funds attributable to special education, federal funds, and special and trust funds; and

WHEREAS, the Committee on Weights found that another 48 percent of the DOE budget is to be allocated to the schools and are discretionary funds to be allocated by the weighted student formula, consisting of:

(1) Custodial classroom cleaners, telephone, and minor repair and maintenance;

(2) Comprehensive student support services;

(3) Lump sum employee fringe benefits;

(4) English for second language learners, gifted and talented students, etc.; and

(5) Lump sum programs;

and

WHEREAS, the remaining 28 percent of the DOE budget to be allocated to the DOE consists of:

(1) Centralized special education services;

(2) Food services, student transportation, and utilities;

(3) Instructional support;

(4) Federal funds centrally administered;

(5) Adult education; and

(6) State and district/complex area administration;

and

WHEREAS, this 28 percent is expended directly by DOE and, except for rough percentages of the amounts allocated to each of the six areas above, the allocation lacks specificity and accountability; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that DOE is requested to provide a cost breakdown analysis of the budget amount allocated to DOE, representing 28 percent of DOE funding that is not included in the weighted student formula or the non-discretionary funds; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOE is requested to include a cost breakdown by individual school and by budget item or service, to the degree that the funds allocated to DOE are allocated to individual schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOE is requested to report the cost breakdown and any other findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

DOE; Budget