Every student enrolled in a private school is one less student that must be educated with funds allocated for our public schools. Providing Special Purpose Revenue Bonds will allow private schools to maintain and improve infrastructure essential to the well-being of institutions and students. It is reasonable to assume that if the quality of such infrastructure decreases, or if schools are forced to close for lack of basic funds to modernize, then significant numbers of private school students will enroll in our public education system. It is a struggle for every one of Hawaii s private institutions to maintain and improve infrastructure. However, most schools have a plan in place to do so, pending adequate funding.
Capital funds are exceedingly difficult to obtain in the present economy.
All too often, private school boards are making difficult decisions to defer maintenance and forego improvements until the economy improves. If Special Purpose Revenue Bonds are approved, renovation and construction jobs already planned will be implemented, creating jobs and stimulating Hawaii s economy. Considering the backlog of work due to deferred maintenance and the demand for improved facilities, the private school community has the potential to make a substantial and ongoing contribution to the revitalization of Hawaii s economy. Further, this can be done without the expenditure of state revenues. Thank you for this opportunity to strongly support HB 478.