HI SB248

Grants complex area superintendents authority to implement the farm to school program and farm to school meals program within their respective complex areas, including oversight of school kitchens, procurement from local farmers, and creation of regionalized menus.

Requires fifteen school cafeteria supervisors (one per complex area) to report directly to their respective complex area superintendent rather than to state-level officials, and expands their responsibilities to include USDA compliance, staff training, meal participation development, and coordination with local food producers.

Mandates the Department of Education fully implement the farm to school and farm to school meals programs no later than the 2026-2027 school year, with progress reports to the legislature.

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to review and recommend modifications to the classification and compensation schedules for school cafeteria supervisors by twenty days before the 2026 legislative session to reflect their expanded duties.

Appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish and fund the fifteen full-time equivalent permanent school cafeteria supervisor positions; takes effect July 1, 2025.