STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1371-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 38

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 38 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT A POLICY RELATING TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO GUIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Board of Education to adopt a policy relating to community schools to guide the establishment of additional community schools throughout the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Ceeds of Peace; Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Pacific American Foundation; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; CARES; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that community schools provide comprehensive programs and services to meet the unique needs of students and families, including a lack of stable housing, inadequate medical and dental care, persistent hunger, trauma, and exposure to violence. Your Committee further finds that the community school strategy aligns with the Department of Education's Nā Hopena Aʻo Framework, strengthening the sense of belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, and total well-being. Your Committee notes that community schools programs are already operating in many parts of Hawaii, especially in remote, rural, and economically disadvantaged areas, and believes that more students and their families could benefit from an expansion of community schools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 38 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair