FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2001

Contact: Rep. Ken Ito Tel.: [phone]

APPOINTED CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD MEASURE DEFEATED

A bill to establish a separate school board solely for charter schools was defeated in the House today by a 30-20 vote. The largely Republican measure, House Bill 1630, was pulled from the Education Committee by the House Minority, the 10th bill they have recalled this session.

Under the proposal, the new board would be appointed rather than elected, and operate separately from the elected State Board of Education. It would be responsible only for authorizing new charter schools as well as overseeing existing charter schools.

Rep. Ken Ito, Education chair, said the bill should be defeated as it would politicize charter schools by calling for elected lawmakers to appoint board members on a partisan basis. "It's really inconsistent with the Republicans' longtime record of opposing appointed school boards. And I don’t think the public wants us to appoint people on the basis of politics."

"Do we really want to impose another layer of bureaucracy on our school system?" asked Rep. K. Mark Takai, vice chair, Education Committee, who added the new board would cost an additional $450,000 a year, not including staff salaries. "No one knows the cost of this un-funded mandate we would be imposing on the Department of Education."

Rep. Helene Hale, a member of the Education Committee, also spoke against the measure, saying Hawaii's education system is unique in the U.S. and cannot be easily compared. She said she strongly supports charter schools, but they should complement and enhance educational offerings within the public school system.

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