HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-13 Letter to Justin H. Woodson, Mark J. Hashem and Amy A. Perruso SB 171, SD2 Relating to Education (Transfer Public Schools from the State to the Counties)
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 13, 2019
Representative Justin H. Woodson, Chair
Representative Mark J. Hashem, Vice Chair
Representative Amy A. Perruso, Vice Chair
Committee on Lower and Higher Education
Dear Chair Woodson, Vice Chairs Hashem and Perruso, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 171, SD2 Relating to Education (Transfer Public Schools from the State to the Counties)
An earlier generation of Hawaiʻi leaders recognized that all residents of the State deserve equal
educational opportunities, regardless of where they live. This foresight created the only statewide school
system in the United States, and although we have not lived up to the ideals and vison reflected in that
principle, we should be forever striving to achieve that fundamental goal rather than undermining it.
SB 171, SD2 would be a giant step in the wrong direction. The mainland offers forty-nine examples of
how local control of education is fine for wealthy jurisdictions where property taxes can fund every bell and
whistle that the rich can envision for their children, but reliance on local funding is disastrous for lower income
areas. And why should it be so? A student living in a rural county already is disadvantaged, missing out on
opportunities that “city kids” have at their fingertips. Why would the State want to compound that disadvantage
by leaving the education of our children to the mercy of what each community can afford?
By all means, let’s work to improve the education system for all our keiki. By no means should we base
that improvement on ability to pay.
Please do not approve SB 171, SD2.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR