Money isn't the only thing in short supply for state policymakers.

Time is also a precious commodity, and too much of it has been lost in confronting what should be done with public schools where enrollment is dwindling. The population center has been shifting for decades but in 30 years only one campus has been closed — 'Anuenue, which later reopened as a charter school.

Now the task force formed to study closing Wailupe Valley Elementary School is due soon to make its recommendation. That report, as well as those from the school complex superintendent and the state schools superintendent, will go to the Board of Education, which has the final say.

In an environment of crushing budget deficits, state officials should find a way to streamline this process, which is dictated by an administrative rule. That in itself will take political courage because school closures can be upsetting to their constituents.

The Department of Education already has proposed one rule change that the Board of Education should approve: eliminating the task force, leaving it to the DOE to prepare the study, in consultation with the community and a public hearing. This would ensure that stakeholders have a voice without burdening the administration with the chore of organizing a task force, which adds delays.

Lawmakers in the past have proposed that an independent commission study schools up for closure and submit recommendations for an up-or-down vote by the Legislature.

Ultimately, it's more efficient to have the DOE, which has much of the data in hand, do the preliminary study.

But the time frame needs to be condensed and firm deadlines set for decisionmaking. This is a job that should fall to the elected school board, which is bound by the same fiscal responsibilities as the state administration.

A tighter review process should be passed by the board quickly, and if they don't do it, the Legislature should. The goal is to know by next session which schools should close so the state budget can be adjusted accordingly.

Ideally, the discussions at the community level should take place in the fall so that recommendations can be made and the board can vote before the Legislature convenes the following January.

This would give teachers the time they need to plan reassignment to new schools and — most importantly — for students and their families to prepare for a new school community.

Resources that are now being wasted in an prolonged and ultimately indecisive process can be redirected to other classroom needs — including the mission of helping children adjust and achieve success, which should be the bottom line at every school.