SR 191

THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
191
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
Urging THIS BODY to establish a Public Charter School
Working Group to examine the support systems available to state public charter
schools and determine whether the establishment of a centralized public charter
school district or similar service cooperative would provide improved support
to public charter Schools.
���� WHEREAS, the
State's public charter schools were established to provide innovative,
community-driven educational opportunities that serve diverse student
populations and strengthen educational outcomes across the State; and
���� WHEREAS,
public charter schools serve thousands of students statewide, including many
Native Hawaiian students and underserved communities, and provide culturally
grounded, place-based, and innovative educational models; and
���� WHEREAS, the
State Public Charter School Commission is responsible for authorizing and
overseeing public charter schools, which operate independently from the
Department of Education; and
���� WHEREAS, public
charter schools often face operational challenges related to facilities
acquisition and maintenance, transportation procurement, food services
compliance, and human resources administrative support structures; and
���� WHEREAS, despite
these structural differences, public charter schools remain an integral part of
the State's public education system and should receive equitable consideration
in policies and programs designed to support students and educators; and
���� WHEREAS, this
body continues to recognize the importance of supporting educators and students
in all public schools, including public charter schools, such as through
legislation clarifying that charter school teachers are eligible for statewide
incentive programs; and
���� WHEREAS, policymakers,
educators, and community leaders have raised questions regarding whether
additional structural support systems may be necessary to ensure public charter
schools receive adequate operational support and services; and
���� WHEREAS, one
potential option for consideration is the establishment of a centralized
administrative charter school district or a statewide service cooperative that
could provide coordinated back-office administrative and operational support
for public charter schools statewide; and
���� WHEREAS, further
discussion and collaboration among key education stakeholders are necessary to evaluate
the feasibility, fiscal impact, and potential challenges of a centralized administrative
structure; now, therefore,
���� BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that this body is urged to establish a Public Charter
School Working Group to examine the support systems available to state public
charter schools and determine whether the establishment of a centralized public
charter school district or similar service cooperative would provide improved support
to public charter schools; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network is requested to convene
and lead the Public Charter School Working Group; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include the following members
or their designees:
���� (1)� One representative of the Hawaii Public
Charter Schools Network who is requested to serve as chair of the Working Group;
���� (2)� The Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on
Education;
���� (3)� The Chair of the House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Education;
���� (4)� The Chairperson of the Board of Education;
���� (5)� The Executive Director of the State Public
Charter School Commission;
���� (6)� The Superintendent of Education;
���� (7)� One representative from Na Lei Naʻauao � Native Hawaiian
Charter School Alliance to be invited by the members of the Working Group;
���� (8)� One representative from a non-Hawaiian-focused
public charter school to be invited by the members of the Working Group;
���� (9)� One representative from a conversion charter
school to be invited by the members of the Working Group; and
��� (10)� One representative who serves as a Business
Manager or Operations Coordinator at an active public charter school to be
invited by the members of the Working Group; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to:
���� (1)� Examine the current governance and support
structure for public charter schools in the State;
���� (2)� Identify specific challenges faced by public
charter schools related to facilities maintenance, operational support, and
access to statewide services;
���� (3)� Evaluate whether the creation of a centralized
public charter school district or similar service cooperative would help to
provide more effective administrative and operational support, including the
separation of school authorization functions from school support services;
���� (4)� Identify potential policy or statutory changes
that may be required to implement the structure evaluated pursuant to paragraph
(3); and
���� (5)� Develop recommendations to strengthen support
for the State's public charter schools, including a preliminary cost-benefit
analysis of centralized support services; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings
and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027;
and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Executive
Director of the State Public Charter School Commission, Executive Director of
the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, and President of Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning Ohana.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:�
State
Public Charter School Commission; DOE; Public Charter School Working Group;
Report