Education committee OKs textbook measure

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The House Education Committee approved legislation to provide public school students with textbooks and other supplies as well as give principals an allowance to reimburse teachers for their out-of-pocket classroom expenses.

But in another example of the state's budget picture, Senate Bill 666 does not have a specific amount of money attached to it to make those proposals reality.

The bill is headed to the House Finance Committee for consideration.

Textbooks have been in short supply at schools statewide, and it has become increasingly common for teachers to use class sets. That means some students would be allowed to use the books in the classroom only and cannot take them home. Schools ideally prefer to assign books to each student.

The bill, which crossed over from the Senate, would require the Department of Education to provide each public school principal with a prorated amount of money to reimburse teachers for classroom supplies they purchase with their own money.

The measure also requires the department to provide students with textbooks, workbooks, equipment and other supplies "in sufficient number and appropriate quality necessary for each student to perform the required school work and master the curriculum."

State schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto said in her written testimony that she supports the intent of the bill. She said because the department is faced with budget restrictions it would appreciate lawmakers' assistance to increase textbooks and other supplies.

The Hawai'i State Teachers Association also supported the bill, saying teachers spend an average of $1,000 of their own money every year to buy supplies, materials, equipment and even furniture for their classrooms.

Rep. Helene Hale, D-4th (Puna), voted against the bill, saying books and supplies won't solve education problems. Instead, she said, teachers must be more creative.

Rep. Corinne Ching, R-27th (Liliha, Pu'unui) voted in favor of the measure, but also said she would like to see a more creative approach to the textbook problem.

Rep. Brian Schatz, D-25th (Makiki, Tantalus), said some schools have three students assigned to one textbook and that it is hard to imagine holding high expectations for students without surrounding them with more than enough books.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at 525-8070.