HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	630
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Proposing amendments to the constitution of the state of Hawaii relating to public education.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds Hawaii is the only state in the nation where a single department of education and a single statewide board run all public schools in the state. All other states have school systems broken down into districts within the state, each with their own separate board of education. Hawaii's centralized school board and school system is unlike any other state.

The legislature finds that a centralized school system comes with several drawbacks. For example, every public school, regardless of the differences between them, are required to follow the same set of state regulations and guidelines as it relates to education. This system also leaves little room for flexibility in introducing new teaching approaches, or in trying new instructional programming.

The legislature finds that entrusting the governance of public schools to citizens elected by their respective communities to oversee their school districts is imperative to a well-functioning school system in the state. With this system in place, elected board members can address the unique education-related needs of their respective districts for better tailored improvements in public education.

The purpose of this Act is to amend the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide for multiple, local school board that are populated with elected board members, in place of the current Board of Education.

SECTION 2. Article X, section 2, of the Hawaii Constitution is amended to read as follows:

"BOARD OF EDUCATION

Section 2. There shall be [a] five [board] boards of education[. The governor shall nominate and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint the members of the board of education, as provided by law.] composed of members who shall be elected in a nonpartisan manner by qualified voters, as provided by law. One board shall cover the entire state, and be composed of members who reside anywhere within the state. The four other boards shall each cover one county area. Each county school board district shall be divided into departmental school districts, as may be provided by law. There shall be at least one member residing in each departmental school district for the county-specific boards of education."

SECTION 3. Article XVIII, section 12, of the Hawaii Constitution is amended to read as follows:

"BOARD OF EDUCATION TRANSITION

Section 12 There shall be a period of transition from the [elected] appointed to the [appointed] elected [board] boards of education, as provided by law."

SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

"Shall the Board of Education be changed from a board appointed by the governor to one statewide board and four countywide boards elected by the qualified voters of the State, as provided by law?"

SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii; provided that, subject to ratification, section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Constitutional Amendment; Public Education; Elected Local School Boards

Description:

Proposes a constitutional amendment that would: (1) establish local school boards throughout the State to be elected from at least 7 school districts as provided by law; and (2) create an educational standards and accountability commission.

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