THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2797

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

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 certain department of education schools, such as those located in leeward Oahu, are operating at full or near-full capacity while struggling with severe overcrowding on campuses, even while providing multi-track schedules.  Public school capacity concerns have also been raised in connection with the projected construction of residential high-rises in the Kakaako community development district.

     The legislature further finds that section 302D-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides for the creation of start-up public charter schools, which could be an important part of the solution to school overcrowding.  In addition, start-up charter schools can often be established in a shorter time period than it takes to construct and open a new department of education school.  Section 302D-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, sets forth the start-up process between the state public charter school commission's approval of a pre-opening school and the opening of the charter school to students.

     The legislature additionally finds that the state public charter school commission, in its 2015-2016 request for proposals for new public charter schools, has identified the following priority needs for applications:

     (1)  New schools that would provide additional school capacity in geographic areas where existing department of education schools are already exceeding, have already reached, or are projected to reach or exceed, full enrollment capacity; and

     (2)  New schools that would serve communities where existing department of education schools are not performing well academically, as measured by the State's strive HI performance system and other student outcomes, and that present a plan for improving these outcomes.

     The legislature also finds that although in the past, the State provided start-up grants to assist newly approved public charter schools with their pre-opening costs before operating funds became available, pre-opening charter schools currently have no such state assistance in meeting these significant challenges.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for start-up grants to assist one or more newly approved pre-opening charter schools that will meet the priority needs identified by the state public charter school commission.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to provide start-up grants to newly approved pre-opening public charter schools that will meet the priority needs identified by the state public charter school commission in its request for proposals for new schools; provided that the state public charter school commission shall establish grant criteria and guidelines for use of public funds.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state public charter school commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

State Public Charter School Commission; Start-up Grants; Pre-opening Public Charter Schools; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates $200,000 for start-up grants for newly approved pre-opening public charter schools, and requires the state public charter school commission to establish guidelines and criteria for the grants.

 

 

 

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