Weighted Student Formula was the topic of the discussion at the September 27th Aiea/Pearl City Town Meeting, headed by the Offices of Senator Norman Sakamoto and Representative Roy Takumi. The guest speaker was Robert Campbell, Director of the Program Support and Development Office from the State Department of Education.
Some of the highlighted notes are as follows:
- The Weighted Student Formula is designed to more equally appropriate monies to schools that have similar characteristics.
- Schools with more disadvantaged students tend to get less money; the formula then equalizes the money alloted to each school dependant upon the student.
- The formula was never meant to address financial adaquacy; that would cost more than $278 million in addition to DOE funding.
- If the DOE continues to receive $20 million that was appropriated by the Legislature, the formula will then stay in effect without further affecting schools. Continuing to implement funding at a 15% level for SY07-08; can continue to adjust funding and utilize the extra funds (alloted $20M).
- There is no 1 variable that dermines the "success" and "failure" of a school. The DOE will continue to crunch numbers and analyze the data to find the right solution.
To view Robert Campbell's slideshow presentation (in PDF format), CLICK HERE.
Photos from the Town Meeting are also up for view in our online gallery!
There will not be an October town meeting. However, in its place is the 2006 Senior Fair held at Pearlridge Center - Uptown on Saturday, October 21 from 10am to 2pm!