HI HB243

Requires the Department of Education to contract with a consulting firm specializing in school finance and education adequacy studies to evaluate Hawaii's public education funding levels.

Study must employ multiple evaluation methods including evidence-based analysis, professional judgment, successful schools comparison, cost function analysis, and wage analyses to identify funding needs.

Study shall compare Hawaii teacher salaries with mainland districts of similar size and cost of living, evaluate impacts on student achievement, special education, arts curricula, and assess funding equity across Hawaii schools.

Department must report findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2022 regular session convening.

Appropriates $100,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2019-2020 to fund the consulting contract.