STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1375-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 79

H.D. 1

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. 79 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION, TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON INCREASING ACCESS TO STABLE, SUITABLE, AND AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Board of Education, in partnership with the State Public Charter School Commission, to submit a report to the Legislature on increasing access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from HawaiiKidsCAN; Kanu o ka Aina; Kualapuu Public Charter School; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's public charter schools serve a critical role as laboratories of innovation in the State's education system, with more than twelve thousand students enrolled in public charter schools. Your Committee further finds that the lack of funding for, and availability of, proper facilities has been a long-standing issue for charter schools nationally and locally, forcing some charter schools in Hawaii to hold classes outdoors, on covered lanais, or in unstable temporary structures.

Your Committee further finds that although the State Public Charter School Commission may request funding for facilities as part of its annual budget request, the amounts received in recent fiscal years have not kept pace with the cost of providing and maintaining high quality facilities. Your Committee notes that unused or underutilized state facilities would help alleviate the lack of proper facilities for public charter schools. Additionally, there are various financing options, such as federal support, that can be used to help support public charter schools. Your Committee believes that the State has the opportunity and responsibility to maximize existing assets that are currently available to assist public charter schools to ensure all students have proper facilities for their education.

Your Committee has amended this measure by including the Executive Director of the School Facilities Authority as a recipient of a certified copy of this measure.

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. 79, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 79, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair