HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTATE OF HAWAI'I DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COMMENTS -128126DAVID Y.IGE q• 'Lr y1 DR.CHRISTINA M.KISHIMOTOGOVERNORSUPERINTENDENT
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STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.BOX 2360
HONOLULU,HAWAII 96804
OFFICE OF FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS car-
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September 25, 2019 c
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Mr. Michael Yee, Planning Director 7 ( 4.)
County of Hawaii
Planning Department I
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii 96729
Re: Review of the Draft General Plan 2040
Dear Mr. Yee:
The Hawaii State Department of Education(HIDOE) has the following comments on the Draft
General Plan 2040 (Draft Plan).
Section 1:Natural Resources Planning—Mitigating&Adapting to Hazards and Climate Change
Agency Action 1.64 has HIDOE hardening facilities to serve as hurricane evacuation shelters.
Hardening of HIDOE facilities can occur with sufficient funding by emergency management
agencies.
Section 4: Community Placemaking—Maintaining Educational Facilities as Anchor Institutions
Policy 344 emphasizes the role of school facilities as an anchor institution in the community.
All public school buildings, facilities, and grounds are available for public and community
use. Procedures are in place for the public to request the use of a facility. These uses are
subject to approval by the principal of the school to ensure safety and security of students,
staff, and school facilities.
Policy 347 encourages the establishment and maintenance ofjoint use facilities, including
schools yards, for community use.
The HIDOE's priority is the safety and security of students, staff, and school facilities.
Future establishment ofjoint use facilities shall not compromise safety and security.
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 12 812 6
Mr. Michael Yee
September 25,2019
Page 2
Policy 349 calls for the establishment of public schools in underserved communities.
It is not clear to HIDOE what constitutes an underserved community.
Policy 352 supports the development ofpublic schools to meet district needs while meeting
school siting criteria.
It is not clear to HIDOE the intent and need for the County to develop and adopt school siting
standards.
Policy 354 calls for the retrofitting of school buildings to serve as emergency shelters.
Retrofitting of school buildings can occur with sufficient funding by emergency management
agencies.
Action 4.1 calls for the adoption of development standards for the siting of new schools or
expanded public schools.
As previously stated, it is not clear to HIDOE the intent and need to develop and adopt
County standards.New schools will be located in high growth areas to meet the demand for
additional school capacity. These high growth areas are generally associated with large
master planned communities. The HIDOE works with developers to identify, review and
approve the location of a school site within the master planned communities. These master
planned communities are subject to extensive review and approval by a number of
government agencies, including the Planning Department.
Clarification is required as to what constitutes expansion of existing school facilities: i.e
addition of land,new buildings.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Should you have questions,please contact Robyn
Loudermilk, School Lands and Facilities Specialist of the Facilities Development Branch,
Planning Section at(808) 784-5093 or via email at Robyn.Loudermilk@k12.hi.us.
Respectful)
Kenneth G. Masden II
Public Works Manager
Planning Section
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