The Board of Education yesterday set seven subjects to focus on this year, including insisting that it have more involvement with expected revisions in the Weighted Student Formula that allots resources to schools based on need.

The formula was one part of the Reinventing Education Act 51 passed by the Legislature in 2004.

Pointing out that the formula is having many "unintended consequences" on schools, particularly smaller schools that will lose funding in the 2006-07 school year, board members called for more oversight of the process than they had last year.

"I want board involvement all the way through," said board member Maggie Cox. "I don't want to be surprised.

"We cannot be hurting schools," Cox continued. "The process is hurting small schools although we say small schools are good for kids. If we need to change the law, we need to take a stand."

Board member Darwin Ching pointed out that one example is Laupahoehoe High & Elementary School on the Big Island, which just completed a new band room and purchased new instruments but cannot afford to hire a band teacher because of budget cuts.

Board member Denise Matsumoto said that the new committee may need to look at what is an adequate base for each school to begin with.

The other top priorities for the board include: teacher recruitment and retention, including possibly offering incentives and creating a teachers academy; repairs and maintenance; an effort to stem bullying, teasing and violence in the schools; creating more support for schools; increasing staffing in the state libraries; and developing administrative rules for charter schools.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.