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HR 43

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Tam

Hawaii resolution requests Department of Education support establishing private fundraising foundations in public high schools to provide scholarships and financial aid.

The committee(s) on EDN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
#departmentofeducation #schoolfoundations #statewideresourcedevelopmentprogram
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Bill Summary · HR 43

Legislative bill overview

HR 43 is a non-binding resolution requesting that Hawaii's Department of Education support the creation of private foundations within public high schools. These foundations would raise and distribute funds for student scholarships, financial aid, and general school support—essentially encouraging public schools to establish their own fundraising entities.

Why is this important

Public school funding gaps are a persistent problem, and private foundations could supplement limited state budgets. However, this approach shifts fundraising responsibility to schools themselves and may create disparities between well-resourced and under-resourced communities, potentially deepening educational inequality across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Equity concerns: Schools in wealthy districts may establish well-funded foundations while those in economically disadvantaged areas struggle to raise comparable resources, widening the achievement gap
  • Public vs. private funding: Reliance on private foundations could reduce political pressure to adequately fund public education through tax revenue, effectively privatizing support for public schools
  • Administrative burden: High schools lack expertise in foundation management, grant writing, and compliance; this could divert educator time from instruction or require expensive administrative staff
  • Accountability questions: Private foundations operating within public institutions raise questions about transparency, conflicts of interest, and whether donated funds serve the school's broader mission or donor preferences

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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