UPDATED 2/11/11 10:00 a.m.

The new legislative session has opened with a slew of new — and some recycled — bills.

They cover issues ranging from electronic security to school farms. Because I write about education for Civil Beat, the bills that captured my attention deal with early childhood education, school consolidations, on-campus bullying and how the board of education should be appointed.

We’ll cover those bills and more as they make their way through the legislative process over the next few months. For today, we highlight five proposals that could have the biggest impact on Hawaii’s keiki and, by extension, its future.

Board of Education Appointments

Voters passed a constitutional amendment last November to replace the elected Board of Education with one appointed by the governor. But wasn’t clear yet was how the selection of the new appointed board members would take place.

Two key bills were introduced at the beginning of this legislative session to answer that question so Gov. Neil Abercrombie could begin fulfilling voters’ wishes. The bills below were the original proposals: Senate Bill 8, which proposed granting the governor authority to make direct Board of Education appointments, and House Bill 338, which proposed a selection advisory council to vet candidates.

After it was introduced, Senate Bill 8 raced through the Senate approval process and was handed over to the House within days. Meanwhile, the House Education Committee stripped House Bill 338 down to only an amendment that would grant voting rights to the student serving on the school board. The House committee then approved Senate Bill 8 with an amendment that changed the makeup of the board to nine voting members and one non-voting student member. The amended bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

Gov. Abercrombie’s Bill

The Bill: Senate Bill 8

What It Does: Gives the governor authority to make direct appointments to the Hawaii State Board of Education, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. It also establishes the make-up of the new appointed board: 11 members — including one from each county, six at-large and one voting student member.

The Latest: Introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Jill Tokuda, it was approved by the full Senate and handed over to the House Education Committee. The House committee approved it with amendments.

Related Measures: House Bill 338 | House Bill 720 | House Bill 480

The Selection Advisory Council Bill

The Bill: House Bill 338

What It Does: Establishes a selection advisory council that would vet board of education candidates and present a list of board of education nominees to the governor. The governor’s appointees would be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The school board would have 10 members — one each from Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties, six from Honolulu and one non-voting student member.

The Latest: Introduced by House Education Committee Chairman Roy Takumi, the bill was approved unanimously by the committee. Passed with significant changes.

Related Measures: Senate Bill 8 | House Bill 720 | House Bill 480

School Consolidations

The threat of possible school consolidations has rocked neighborhoods throughout Honolulu County over the last several months. Legislators have submitted two types of solutions.

Objective Criteria

The Bill: Senate Bill 1487

What It Does: It transfers the power to consolidate schools from the board of education to the Hawaii Department of Education. It requires the department to establish objective criteria for school consolidation, e.g. student population thresholds.

The Latest: Introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Jill Tokuda, it passed first reading and was referred to her committee and the Ways and Means Committee. A hearing is scheduled before the Education Committee on Friday, Feb. 11.

Related Measures: House Bill 340

Partial Tuition

The Bill: Senate Bill 1380

What It Does: Allows schools that have been sentenced for consolidation to continue operations if they charge tuition. The revenue from tuition would have to be equal to the projected cost savings from closure. The act would take effect immediately upon its approval.

The Latest: Introduced by Sen. Brian Taniguchi, the bill passed first reading and was referred to the Senate Education and Ways and Means committees.

Related Measures: House Bill 1310

Reconstituting Schools

The Bill: House Bill 339

What It Does: Allows the superintendent to reconstitute both public traditional and public charter schools that have been in restructuring for four years or more with no significant improvement. Reconstituting would involve reassigning employees of the school to work elsewhere in the department and hire a new faculty and staff. The bill also allows the superintendent to recommend actions to the Charter School Review Panel, including revoking a school’s charter. If passed, the act will take effect July 1 this year.

The Latest: Introduced by Reps. Takumi and Della Au Belatti, the Education Committee pass the bill with amendments on Feb. 2, passed its second House reading and still awaits a hearing before the House Finance Committee.

Related Measures: Senate Bill 1485