Senate OKs school reform with new spending formula
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer
The state Senate voted yesterday to approve an education reform package that contains a new student spending formula, the first major step toward substantial change to the state's public schools this year.
The new formula — a key element of both the Democrats' and Gov. Linda Lingle's reform plans — would base school financing on the individual needs of students, rather than school enrollment, and could lead to more equity in school spending.
The Senate bill also would give principals and new school councils — expanded versions of existing School Community Based Management councils — greater control over budget and curriculum.
"That flexibility in itself will go a long way," said state Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake), the chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
The Senate bill would give the state Department of Education more autonomy by turning over control of repair and maintenance, personnel and education-related functions from other state agencies.
Changes for many principals
The legislation would place high school principals on year-round schedules, but would leave middle school and elementary school principals on 10-month work calendars because of the cost of moving all principals over at one time.
It also would expand a principals academy to train school leaders for additional responsibilities.
The House Finance Committee also voted yesterday to advance the House education reform package, which includes the new spending formula and other provisions in the Senate bill.
But the House version, which likely will be approved by the full House early next week, would shift only repair and maintenance to the DOE, putting off the transfer of other functions for more study.
The House version also would provide $3 million for textbooks to address a common complaint at many schools about the lack of adequate books for students. The bill would also move all schools to a common, year-round calendar, and provide money to lower class sizes in kindergarten through second grade.
Senate and House lawmakers likely will amend the bills as the legislation moves through each chamber and conference committee.
The new school councils would be required at every school and would include principals, school staff, teachers, parents, students and community representatives.
Lingle continues criticism
The new councils would have a say in budget, curriculum and staffing decisions at schools, but principals would have the greatest responsibility and would be held accountable for school performance. Disputes on the councils would be settled by an outside mediator or, if still unresolved, by the state Board of Education.
Lingle, meanwhile, yesterday continued to blast the Democrats who control the Legislature for not supporting her vision for reform.
The Republican governor has aggressively sought a ballot question in November on whether the DOE should be broken up into local school districts with elected boards.
She also would ask voters whether to replace the BOE with a statewide standards and accountability commission.
The House has voted against Lingle's plans, but Sakamoto repeated yesterday that he would give the governor and her supporters the chance to be heard in the Senate this session.
"Personally, I don't think that's the answer," Sakamoto said, indicating doubts that Lingle's proposal would survive.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce endorsed Lingle's reform plans yesterday.
Lingle, speaking at a Hawai'i Literacy event last night, again mocked the Democrats' package as "fake reform" and urged members of the audience to call Sakamoto and demand that the Legislature put her plans before voters. She even gave out his Senate office telephone number.
"I didn't think it was possible to make our current education system any worse than it already is, but they have found a way," Lingle said.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
