HI HB344

Creates a Facilities Alignment Commission of nine members appointed by the governor to establish objective criteria for selecting public schools for construction, expansion, consolidation, or closure based on demographic shifts across Hawaii.

Requires the Department of Education to submit a school facilities plan by December 31, 2011, including enrollment projections, facility inventory, and recommendations for school alignment in high-growth and declining population areas.

Directs the commission to establish selection criteria by December 31, 2011, considering facility usage, student academic achievement, impact on communities, and costs associated with school operations or closures.

Requires the commission to hold public hearings on preliminary recommendations by February 28, 2012, and submit final recommendations to the legislature at least 20 days before the 2013 regular session, which the legislature can disapprove only in their entirety.

Board of Education must implement the commission's recommendations for the 2015-2016 school year if the legislature does not reject them entirely; commission terminates at the end of the 2013 legislative session.