Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has signed off on a series of educational bills that his administration is touting as being transformative for the school system going forward.
“These new laws will provide additional support to advance the efforts of many throughout our public school system, to educate students,” Green said in a July 3 press release from his office. “Nearly 169,000 students were enrolled in public and charter schools during the 2022 to 2023 school year. A number like that highlights the need for sound policies and support systems, sufficient funding, and resources for employees to ensure quality teaching and learning. Clearly, our students of today, are our leaders, our workforce and our parents of tomorrow, and it is our kuleana to set them up for success.”
In all, Green signed into law four bills at the ceremony.
“We need 1,200 teachers to fill our annual teacher shortage,” the governor said in the release. He also addressed the issue of teacher housing, noting that he sees it as a key component in the future of successfully educating Hawaii’s keiki.
Senate Bill 941 (Act 172) grants authorization to the School Facilities Authority to partner with private and public entities to develop on- or off-campus housing for teachers, other educators and staff, as well as for the development of classrooms.
SB1344 (Act 173) amends the previous job title school health aide to read school health assistant to more accurately reflect changes in the job. The new legislation allows school health assistants to administer medication to public school students with approval from a health care professional in the Department of Health, Department of Education or other health care service in accordance with a written agreement with the Department of Education.
“We celebrate these bills as significant strides towards a brighter future for our students and educators,” state Sen. Michelle Kidani (D-District 18), chair of the Senate Education Committee, said in the release. “By investing in teacher housing, improving school facilities, and expanding early childhood education, we are paving the way for the success of our state and its future generations.”
