HB1560 HD2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1560
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the field of education is changing rapidly to meet the needs of the local and global workforce and communities. Due to this, the line between K-12 education, higher education, and the workforce continues to blur. In order to bolster Hawaii's economy and stem the local brain drain of talent leaving the State, the legislature further finds that it is important for Hawaii's students to attain quality work-based learning opportunities and connections to local employers before graduation.

The legislature additionally finds that the board of education serves an important policy making function for the Hawaii education system. As schools expand their career readiness programs and partnerships with employers, the board will need to have a sophisticated understanding of policy related to these areas.

Furthermore, the legislature finds that the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) has specific recommendations for what makes state boards of education most effective. In terms of individual board members, NASBE's recommendations include that members represent all students and families, maintain student achievement as a north star, view all decisions with an equity lens, and make clear decisions. NASBE's recommendations for boards also include serving as the citizen voice in education, leading through policy, and remaining future oriented.

Therefore, the legislature finds that Hawaii's education system will benefit through greater diversity of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives on the board of education, and that individuals serving on the board should conduct themselves in accordance with best practices from expert organizations, such as NASBE.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to amend the minimum qualifications for board of education members to:

(1) Diversify the experiences of board members to include knowledge, experience, and proven expertise in education, workforce development, critical industries to the State, emerging fields, energy, advanced manufacturing, health care, business, technology, entrepreneurship, real estate, finance, or organizational management; and

(2) Clarify that the board of education's best practices should be aligned with those of organizations such as NASBE.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-126, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) Each nominee shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

(1) 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 board members to the same;

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

(3) Knowledge of best practices. Each nominee shall have an understanding of best practices in educational governance through organizations such as the National Association of State Boards of Education or similar organizations, or shall be willing to be trained in such; [~~and~~]

(4) Commitment to educational leadership. Each nominee shall have a clear understanding of the board's role in developing and protecting a clear, long-term strategic vision for Hawaii's public schools, and shall understand the need to hold the superintendent of education accountable for making consistent progress toward that vision[.]; and

(5) Relevant experience. Each nominee shall have relevant experience so that collectively the board has knowledge, experience, and proven expertise in as many of the following fields as possible, including education, workforce development, critical industries to the State, emerging fields, energy, advanced manufacturing, health care, business, technology, entrepreneurship, real estate, finance, or organizational management."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.