REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING, CLASSIFYING, AND APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM POSITIONS, AND ITS SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENTS.

SR186

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
.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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(1)
�
The State Superintendent;

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(2)
�
Deputy Superintendents;

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(3)
�
Assistant Superintendents; and

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(4)
�
Complex Area Superintendents; and

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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;

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

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

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(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;

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

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

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

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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

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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

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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