S.B. 153 Summary

• Establishes supplemental categorical funding for remote schools to support additional instructional and support staff, addressing budgetary shortfalls at schools serving isolated communities.

• Defines "remote school" as public high schools (except charter schools) located at least one hour's drive from the next nearest public high school, or located on islands with populations under 10,000.

• Specifies that supplemental funding is in addition to allocations under the existing weighted student formula and explicitly includes Kaunakakai elementary school, Kilohana elementary school, Maunaloa elementary school, and Molokai middle school as remote schools.

• Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to be expended by the Department of Education.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2023.