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_-_---44;t <br /> . .4`y" -'+. Wil Okabe <br /> (� M� Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim '.a!`•''3:\��1 <br /> Mayor <br /> _ _------- Barbara J.Kossow <br /> •�.�1 .' Deputy Managing Director <br /> a <br /> •••rF" FWO' <br /> Count of Pa1na•i`t <br /> Mee of the Agar <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kadua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 10, 2017 <br /> Representative Roy Takumi <br /> Education Committee <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Takumi and members: <br /> RE: HB 872 <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 872. <br /> As you know, Hawai'i County is home to a large number of charter schools. With <br /> that in mind, the County government has been asked to become an "authorizer" under <br /> Chapter 302D, HRS, and the idea is being given consideration by my administration. <br /> Funding will be a critical issue that must be considered by any authorizer, and <br /> HB 872 would go a long way toward easing concerns in that regard. It seems both fair <br /> and appropriate that charter school funding be apportioned based on student <br /> population. <br /> One question has been raised by our attorneys with respect to the language of <br /> HB 872. Section 302D-1, HRS, defines "authorizer" to mean "an entity established <br /> under this chapter..." Obviously the County is a pre-existing entity. Does that preclude <br /> the County from becoming an "authorizer"? While Section 302D-4 provides that "A <br /> county or state agency may apply to the board, pursuant to this section, for chartering <br /> authority," it is not 100% clear that the benefits and obligations of HB 872 apply to a <br /> county that has been granted chartering authority, since the key provisions of HB 872 <br /> refer to "authorizer." If you think this is a valid concern, one remedy might be to broaden <br /> the definition of"authorizer" to include "an entity established under this chapter with <br /> chartering authority or any other entity granted chartering authority, to review charter <br /> applications. <br /> p ly submitted <br /> ey-ertf61 <br /> [;/` �.,n� <br /> Harry Ki <br /> Mayor <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />