Page 4 - MidWeek Leeward - April 19, 2023

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APRIL 19, 2023
One of the most im- portant responsibili- ties of state lawmak-
good idea of the pressing pri- ority needs of our schools and students.
state budget passed by the House in mid-March contains funding to operate all of the state government plus repair- ing and maintaining schools and other government facili- ties for the next two years.
School would receive $2.2 million for the plans, design and construction of a large, covered bus stop and seating area for students.
other equipment.
The budget measure (HB
ers is to support public schools because the institutions are so important to our communities and our future. In my past de- cade in the House, I’ve seen 7-year-old second-graders grow and bloom into high school seniors ready to tackle the world.
For example, every Pearl City High School parent who has dropped off their child knows of the long struggle to repair and maintain the pot-holed campus driveway. Most recently, in March, Gov. Josh Green released $396,000 to resurface the driveway near the athletic fields.
• Pearl City Elementary School would receive $1.1 million to replace campus water lines.
300) is now being considered by the Senate, where items can be deleted or added before we adjourn in early May.
But we need to ensure our public schools keep up with repairs and modernization to provide the best education we can afford. Campus visits and communication with school officials give legislators a
Meanwhile, Lehua Ele- mentary School is advancing plans to replace its buildings on a site adjacent to its current campus because of ground erosion problems. Earlier this
year, the governor released $7.5 million for the design of needed infrastructure and building replacements.
• Pearl City High School’s Michael D. Nakasone Per- forming Arts Center would receive $4 million to replace its lighting and dimmer sys- tem, and for other electrical improvements.
• Pearl City Highlands Elementary School would receive $550,000 for elec- trical upgrades to accom- modate air-conditioning and
Contact state Rep. Gregg Takayama (District 34 – Pearl City, Waimalu and Pacific Palisades) at 808-586-6340 or reptakayama@capitol.ha- waii.gov.
STATE REP. GREGG TAKAYAMA
Proposed $11 Billion Budget To Benefit Schools
Highlands Intermediate School is one
of the public schools that would benefit from a proposed $11 billion state budget. PHOTO COURTESY THE OFFICE OF STATE REP. GREGG TAKAYAMA
Here’s a snapshot of how Pearl City public schools would be affected by the pro- posed House budget:
• Manana Elementary School would get $1.1 mil- lion to plan and construct restroom facilities at its por- table classrooms.
Remember that it’s vital for citizens to keep their legisla- tors informed of projects they feel are vital to improving communities, whether they be schools, streets or parks.
The proposed $11 billion
• Highlands Intermediate
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