SB8 - Board of Education; Appointment

• Changes the Board of Education from an elected to an appointed body, with nine members comprising one representative each from Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties; three from Honolulu; and three at-large members selected by the governor with Senate approval.

• Governor selects the chairperson from the at-large members and may remove or suspend board members for cause; members serve three-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms, except initial appointees may serve one, two, or three-year staggered terms.

• Establishes minimum qualifications for appointees including integrity, civic virtue, availability, knowledge of educational governance best practices, and commitment to educational leadership; outlines recommended qualifications such as understanding of collective bargaining and experience with complex organizations.

• Requires the Senate to consider the combination of board members' abilities, experiences, and diversity when confirming nominees, including reflection of student population diversity, geographical representation, and education-related stakeholders.

• Maintains nonvoting positions for a student representative selected by the state student council and a military representative appointed by Hawaii's senior military commander; removes Board of Education from election law provisions regarding campaign finance, nomination papers, and tie-breaking procedures.