THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	186
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the governance structure and administrative leadership of the department of education.

 

 

     WHEREAS, article X, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution establishes a statewide system of public education administered by the Department of Education under the policy direction of the Board of Education; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education maintains a governance and administrative leadership structure that includes the State Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents; and

 

     WHEREAS, these leadership positions are responsible for overseeing statewide educational policies, operational management, program implementation, and administrative support functions that affect public schools throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is obligated to ensure that public funds appropriated for the administration of the public education system are used efficiently, effectively, and in a manner that maximizes resources available to support students, teachers, and school-level services; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education Strategic Plan establishes statewide priorities, goals, and performance objectives intended to guide leadership responsibilities and operational activities within the Department; and

 

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of the governance structure and administrative leadership of the Department of Education would provide valuable information to the Legislature regarding whether the current organizational structure effectively supports the goals and objectives of the Department of Education Strategic Plan; and

 

     WHEREAS, a review of administrative leadership positions should include an evaluation of designated job responsibilities, staff assignments, program oversight responsibilities, and measurable performance outcomes associated with leadership and operational duties; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is also important to evaluate the fiscal costs associated with administrative leadership positions, including salaries, benefits, support staff, and other operational expenditures, to determine the total cost of governance infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive fiscal and performance audit may identify opportunities to improve administrative efficiency, restructure divisions, reduce duplication of responsibilities, and strengthen accountability systems for leadership performance across the Department of Education; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the governance structure and administrative leadership of the Department of Education; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit is requested to include but not be limited to an examination of the following administrative leadership positions:

 

     (1)  The State Superintendent;

 

     (2)  Deputy Superintendents;

 

     (3)  Assistant Superintendents; and

 

     (4)  Complex Area Superintendents; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit is requested to examine and describe in detail:

 

     (1)  The designated job responsibilities and authority of each administrative leadership position;

     (2)  The organizational structure and reporting relationships among leadership positions;

 

     (3)  The number of staff positions assigned to support each leadership position;

 

     (4)  The programs, divisions, and operational functions overseen by each leadership position;

 

     (5)  Performance outcomes related to leadership and operational responsibilities and the extent to which those outcomes align with the goals and objectives of the Department of Education Strategic Plan;

 

     (6)  The fiscal cost associated with each leadership position, including salaries, benefits, support staff, and related operational costs;

 

     (7)  The total aggregated fiscal cost of the administrative leadership structure described in this measure;

 

     (8)  The extent to which responsibilities or operational functions overlap or duplicate work across divisions or leadership positions; and

 

     (9)  Opportunities to improve administrative efficiency, fiscal accountability, and organizational effectiveness; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit is also requested to identify and provide recommendations regarding:

 

     (1)  The potential restructuring of the Department of Education governance and administrative leadership structure;

 

     (2)  Opportunities to downsize administrative leadership positions where appropriate and when feasible;

 

     (3)  Strategies to minimize duplication of work across departments and leadership levels;

     (4)  Methods to improve clarity of leadership responsibilities and operational oversight; and

 

     (5)  The development of a transparent system of accountability and performance evaluation for administrative leadership positions to ensure alignment with departmental goals and responsibilities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DOE; Administration; Governance Structure; Audit