HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1367

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to The STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 302D-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsections (c) and (d) to read:

     "(c)  The commission shall consist of nine members to be appointed [by the board.] as follows:

     (1)  Three members shall be appointed by the governor;

     (2)  Two members shall be appointed by the president of the senate;

     (3)  Two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (4)  One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and

     (5)  One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

The [board] appointing authority shall appoint members who will be tasked with authorizing public charter schools that serve the unique and diverse needs of public school students.  The chair of the commission shall be designated by the members of the commission for each school year beginning July 1, and whenever there is a vacancy.  The [board] appointing authority shall consider the combination of abilities, breadth of experiences, and characteristics of the commission, including but not limited to reflecting the diversity of the student population, geographical representation, and a broad representation of education-related stakeholders.  Members of the commission shall collectively possess strong experience and expertise in public and nonprofit governance, management and finance, public school leadership, assessment, curriculum, instruction, and public education law.  The commission shall be exempt from sections 26‑34 and 26-36.

     (d)  Understanding that the role of the commission is to ensure a long-term strategic vision for Hawaii's public charter schools, each nominee to the commission shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

     (1)  Commitment to [education.] charter schools.  Each nominee's record should demonstrate a deep and abiding interest in education, and a dedication to the social, academic, and character development of young people through the administration of a high performing charter school system;

     (2)  Record of integrity, civic virtue, and high ethical standards.  Each nominee shall demonstrate integrity, civic virtue, and high ethical standards and be willing to hold fellow commission members to the same;

     (3)  Availability for constructive engagement.  Each nominee shall commit to being a conscientious and attentive commission member; and

     (4)  Knowledge of best practices.  Each nominee shall have an understanding of best practices in charter school educational governance or shall be willing to be trained in such."

     2.  By amending subsections (g) and (h) to read:

     "(g)  Commission members shall serve not more than three consecutive three-year terms, with each term beginning on July 1[; provided that the initial terms that commence after June 30, 2012, shall be staggered as follows:

     (1)  Three members, including the chairperson, to serve three-year terms;

     (2)  Three members to serve two-year terms; and

     (3)  Three members to serve one-year terms].  

Beginning July 1, 2021, as the terms of existing members expire, a new appointee shall be made in the following order of priority:

     (1)  One member appointed by the governor;

     (2)  One member appointed by the president of the senate;

     (3)  One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (4)  One member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

     (5)  One member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

     (6)  One member appointed by the governor;

     (7)  One member appointed by the president of the senate;

     (8)  One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (9)  One member appointed by the governor.

     (h)  Notwithstanding the terms of the members, the [board] appointing authority may fill vacancies in the commission of any member for which the appointing authority is responsible, at any time when a vacancy occurs due to resignation, non-participation, the request of a majority of the commission members, or termination by the board for cause."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Public Charter School Commission; Members; Appointment

 

Description:

Amends the appointing authority of the public charter school commission members.  Specifies the transition from existing members to members appointed under the new appointing authority.  Requires that members of the public charter school commission possess strong experience and expertise in public and nonprofit governance, management and finance, public school leadership, assessment, curriculum, instruction, and public education law.

 

 

 

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