SR 191: 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.

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