Bill > SR8

This Resolution directs the Legislative Reference Bureau, a state agency that provides research and drafting services to the legislature, to conduct a comprehensive study on Hawaii's unique single, statewide public school system, which is overseen by a single Board of Education. The study aims to assess how effective this centralized system is in equitably distributing resources and funding, while also acknowledging that other factors like socioeconomic status influence educational quality. The Bureau is specifically tasked with identifying disparities between different school complex areas (geographic groupings of schools), exploring potential solutions for these disparities, and evaluating the practicality of creating county-level school districts as an alternative structure. To gather diverse perspectives, the Bureau will consult with the Department of Education, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and relevant non-profit organizations focused on educational equity. The findings and any proposed legislative changes are to be reported to the Legislature by early 2023.