Kamehameha charter The state Legislature has voted to allow Kamehameha Schools to become a partner with selected state charter schools so it can help more native Hawaiian children.
school partnership
a step away from
state approval
The state House sends the bill
to the governor for signatureBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com
In return, these charter schools get more funding at no extra cost to the state. That's because these nonprofit groups must make matching contributions to the school's operations.
"This concept of collaboration with nonprofits presents us with a fresh opportunity to try something fundamentally daring and progressive," House Education Chairman Ken Ito (D, Kaneohe) said of Senate Bill 2662, Senate Draft 2.
The House approved the Senate bill without any amendments to it yesterday, sending the bill to Gov. Ben Cayetano for consideration.
As proposed, the bill amends the state's current charter school legislation to include a new section that allows nonprofit organizations to operate and manage an existing public school under what is called a new century conversion charter school.
"It's a good bill, and I appreciate it being passed by this Legislature," said Rep. Joe Gomes (R, Waimanalo) yesterday on the House floor.
Hawaii charter schools receive public funds but are free from most laws and regulations except for collective bargaining, health and safety, discrimination and federal policies.
Each charter school is run by a local board that is held accountable for student performance and funding through a contract or charter with the state.
Charter schools have received a little more than two-thirds of their funding for this year, at $2,000 for each child enrolled. They are due an extra $900 per pupil.
Hamilton McCubbin, chief executive officer of Kamehameha Schools, said the bill allows conversion charter schools to receive much-needed funding and instructional support.
"This bill will help to extend the legacy of our founder, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, to the many Hawaiian children in public schools through Hawaii," McCubbin said in a statement yesterday.
If approved by the governor, the program will be implemented over the next five years and will have a lasting and positive impact on thousands of Hawaiian children and their families, he said.
"We look forward to closely working with Superintendent Pat Hamamoto and her staff," McCubbin said.
Ito told colleagues yesterday the bill has many safeguards to prevent these schools from becoming just a private program for Hawaiian children.
For example, the new law requires nonprofits to match $1 per pupil toward school operations for every $4 allocated by the state Department of Education.
Also, Board of Education approval will depend on whether there is majority support from the school's administrative, support and teaching staff, as well as from affected parents.
Ito said other rules keep the limit of charter schools to 25, and gives the state the first right to all assets and facilities if the charter school agreement dissolves. There are currently 23 charter schools statewide.
"We, as legislators, have made every effort to ensure that these conversion charter schools do not transform into privatized educational programs," Ito said.
Even so, the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association have opposed the measure.
The public worker unions are worried about the impact on school employees and the lack of funding for current charter schools.
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