The Board of Education will ask the Legislature to amend a law on charter schools to allow the board to grant temporary approval to new charters.
A bill now before the state Senate would clarify the board’s authority over charter schools. The board cannot deny a charter, but can return an application if the board feels certain standards aren’t met.
Without board approval, however, applicants have had problems securing leases on buildings and recruiting teachers and students. The resulting "Catch-22" has frustrated charter school officials and the Board of Education.
Last night, the board unanimously approved a measure that would allow the provisional approval of charters. Schools superintendent Paul LeMahieu said he hopes this would give charter school officials the opportunity to move ahead with their plans and at the same time address the concerns of state education officials.
A 1999 law allowed for 25 charter schools to operate in Hawai‘i. The so-called independent public schools are geared for students who are not successful in a traditional classroom setting.
Six charters operate in Hawai‘i, and 35 letters of intent are pending action.
In other action last night, the board voted to support a proposal to move some students from two Makakilo elementary schools to Barbers Point because of crowding.
The Department of Education’s Leeward District plans to transfer about 220 students from Makakilo and Mauka Lani schools over the next two years. Both schools have reached or exceeded capacity.
Some parents objected to the plan and said they would prefer to send their children to the school in their community.
To alleviate their concerns, school officials will offer free busing to Barbers Point and said they will continue to search for long-term solutions to the crowding problems.
