The letter is from the Chair of the House Committee on Finance to the Hawaii State Department of Education Superintendent regarding the DOE's $20 million budget shortfall for public school bus transportation. It outlines concerns with how the DOE manages transportation services, noting the state subsidizes $6.50 per student daily for bus rides. It requests an in-person meeting to discuss alternatives to the DOE's position that eliminating funding will end all bus services.

1. April 19, 2012
Superintendent Kathryn S. Matayoshi HAND DELIVERY
Hawaii State Department of Education
1390 Miller Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
RE: APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS
Dear Superintendent Matayoshi:
Over the past week, it would appear that numerous communications have been issued by the
Department of Education concerning student bus transportation services for School Year 2012-2013,
based on the deliberations currently taking place on the State Budget. Among them were:
• A flyer issued by Assistant Superintendent Randolph G. Moore dated April 13, 2012,
listing schools throughout the State that may have bus service eliminated;
• An email dated that same day from Communications Director Sandra Goya stating that
the Department has decided to hold off on distributing Assistant Superintendent
Moore’s communication; and
• An email dated April 19, 2012 from Complex Area Superintendent Patricia Park, urging
DOE employees to contact myself and Senator David Ige, Chair of the Committee on
Ways and Means, to ‘Influence decision makers regarding funding the $20M shortfall
for public school buses/transportation.”
As a matter of fairness, I request the opportunity to clarify my position on this issue as Chair of
the House Committee on Finance. As your Department saw fit to distribute certain information to
parents and teachers, it is my hope that you will do the same with this letter.
As an elected legislator, it is my responsibility along with my colleagues in the House and the
Senate, to ensure that the limited resources provided by taxpayers are used efficiently, effectively, and
responsibly. Further, as Chair of the House Committee on Finance, I have been directed to specifically
review all of the requests for resources received and provide recommendations that best meets the
needs of the entire State. This is an awesome responsibility which I take very seriously.

2. Letter to Superintendent Kathryn S. Matayoshi
April 19, 2012
Page 2
The request made by the Department of Education for transportation services has raised
serious questions. Here are just a few points to consider:
• Under the terms of the current bus contract as negotiated between the Department of
Education and bus companies, the cost to transport kids to and from school each year is
$79 million. This exceeds the total budgets of seven entire State Departments —
Agriculture; Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Defense; Office of the
Governor; Labor; Land and Natural Resources; and the Lieutenant Governor.
• Under the current contracts, taxpayers pay $76 of the $79 million, or 96% of the total
amount.
• The federal government requires that the State pay for special education students to
ride the school bus, which accounts for only $35 million. My question to you is this —
How does the remaining $44 million get paid?
• Families must pay around $270 for their children to ride the bus annually. As only 50%
of the riders are paying, your Department collects approximately $2.75 million toward
the total transportation costs. The State must therefore pick up nearly 94%, or $41
million of the total cost, all of which comes from taxpayer dollars.
• Under current contracts, the cost of transporting a child to and from school runs about
$1,251 annually. Taxpayers must pay $1,171 of this, while your Department pays only
$80 from fares collected. This calculates to families paying 50 cents per day for round
trip transportation to and from school for their child. The average round-trip distance
on Oahu is 15 miles and for neighbor islands, 20 miles.
• As families pay only 50 cents per day for their child to ride the bus, the cost to all State
taxpayers to provide this service daily is an additional $6.50. In other words, the State is
subsidizing each student $6.50 per day to ride the school bus. For this amount,
taxpayers could buy four (4) annual City and County bus passes for every child who
currently rides the school bus. And with a City and County bus pass. the child would
have access to bus services on school days, after school, weekends, and holidays and
could go anywhere on the island.
If the general public knew of this, I’m sure they would be as outraged as I am. Clearly,
something is wrong with the way your Department is managing the school transportation services.
The millions that are being spent inefficiently are wasted. The millions that are wasted should be put
to better use.

3. Letter to Superintendent Kathryn S. Matayoshi
April 19, 2012
Page 3
Your Department has taken the extreme and inflammatory position that if the status quo is not
continued, your Department will cease services to communities throughout the State. From my view,
this is irresponsible fear-mongering. Unfortunately, this seriously puts into question the management
and credibility of your entire Department.
Finally, I take great umbrage to Complex Area Superintendent Park’s characterization that the
budgetary actions taken by the Legislature will “dramatically affect the quality of lifefor our ‘local’ and
military impacted students and their families. The decision will be [made] this coming Tuesday, April
23 by the Conference Committee. Unfortunately, no testimonies can be given at the closed meeting.”
[Emphasis added.]
Not only is the suggestion premature and speculative, it fails to explain the alternatives
available and being considered by the DOE itself. Likewise, to suggest that the Conference Committee
would be “closed” to the public is to further incite public reaction based upon false and misleading
accusations. That your Complex Area Superintendent would choose to mislead her colleagues is very
disappointing and reflects poorly on your Department.
I welcome your thoughts on this and would greatly appreciate an opportunity to discuss this
with you and Board of Education Chair Don Homer, in person, at your earliest convenience. Please
contact my office to schedule a time that best meets your availability.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 586-6200.
Very Truly Yours,
REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS R. OSHIRO
Chair, House Committee on Finance
Enclosures
c: Governor
Chair, Board of Education
All Members, House of Representatives
All Members, Senate

4. NEIL ABERCROMBIE KATHRYN S. MATAYOSHI
GOVERNOR SUPERINTENDENT
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
April 13, 2012
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Student Bus Transportation Service Cuts for School Year 201 2-13
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
The Legislature is considering a budget bill that will decrease the Hawaii State Department of Education’s student
bus transportation budget by approximately $20 million.
The final state budget is expected to be approved by the Legislature on May 3, 2012. A likely outcome is that most
regular school bus service will not be offered in school year 2012-13. A reduction to DOE’s transportation budget
by $20 million will potentially eliminate bus service for the following schools:
Big Island
• all middle/intermediate and high schools
• elementary schools: De Silva, Haaheo, Hilo Union, Holualoa, Kahakai, Kalanianaole, Kapiolani, Kaumana,
Keaukaha, Kealakehe, Waiakea, Waiakea Waena
• EXCEPTION: Service will continue for Pahoa High & Intermediate, Keaau High, Keaau Middle, and Kau High
and Pahala Elementary
Kauai
• all middle and high schools
• elementary schools: Wilcox
• POSSIBLE EXCEPTION: Kapaa Middle and Kapaa High students living beyond Kilauea
Maui
• all intermediate and high schools
• elementary schools: Kahului, Lihikai, Pomaikai, Wailuku
• EXCEPTION: students in grades K-5 at Hana High & Elementary will continue to have service
• POSSIBLE EXCEPTION: some students in grades 6-12 at Hana High & Elementary, Maui High students
living in Kihei, lao Intermediate and Baldwin High students living beyond Waihee, and Lahaina Intermediate
and Lahainaluna High students living beyond Kapalua
Molokai
• Molokai Middle and Molokai High
• POSSIBLE EXCEPTION: Molokai Middle and Molokai High students living in Maunaloa and beyond Kaunakakai
Oahu
• all middle/intermediate and high schools
• all elementary schools
• EXCEPTION: Leihoku, Maili, Makaha, Nanaikapono, Nanakuli, Waianae elementary schools
In preparation for next school year, parents who planned to have their children ride the regular school bus should
begin exploring alternative transportation options to and from the schools listed above.
The DOE will provide an update to this notice in May 2012. Email questions or concerns to doe_info@notes.kl2.hi.us.
Sincerely,
~c~&4L
Randolph G. Moore
Q~
Assistant Superintendent, DOE Office of School Facilities and Support Services
PLEASE NOTE: Bus transportation services will continue without interruption for students in these categories:
1) Students with special needs receiving curb-to-curb services as provided in their Individualized Educational Plans;
2) Students who transfer to another school under the “school of choice” provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind
Act; and 3) Homeless students.
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 4/12, AS 12-1206

5. From: Sandra Gova/UU/HIDOE~notes.k12.hi.us
[mailto:Sandra Gova/LIU/HIDOEcSrnotes.k12.hi. us]
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 8:43 PM
To: Rep. Marcus Oshiro
Subject: IMPT UPDATE: Cancellation of bus memo for Friday April 13
Importance: High
To: Senate President
Speaker
Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee
Chair, House Finance Committee
Chair, Senate Education Committee
Chair, House Education Committee
I am sending the following update on behalf of Superintendent Matayoshi and Asst. Supt. Moore.
UPDATE:
The Department of Education had planned to issue a memorandum today (Friday, April 13)
regarding possible budgetary cuts to student bus transportation services for next school year
(2012-13). It has decided to hold off on distributing this memorandum to parents and students in
order to review and consider the potential impact of implementing internal restrictions for non-
school level funding as well as repurposing other funds for student transportation costs.
Aloha,
Sandra Goya
Communications Director
Hawaii State Department of Education
1390 Miller Street, Rm. 312
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
office: (808) 586-3232
direct: (808) 586-3237
cell: (808) 753-5525
email: sandy pova(ã~notes.k12.hi.us
DOE website: doe.k12.hi.us
—— Forwarded by Sandra G0yaISUPTIHIDOE on 04/12/2012 08:34 PM
From: Randy Moore/OSFSS/HIDOE
To: reotpkumiC~icaoitol.hawaiiaov. repsavl8icaoitol.hawaii.aov, ~
sentsutsuilä~caDitoI.hawaii.gov, seniae(d~caDitol.hawaiL..,
Date: 04/12)2012 10:31 AM
Subject: DOE flyer to parents of school bus rIders
To: Senate President
Speaker
Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee
Chair, House Finance Committee
Chair, Senate Education Committee
Chair, House Education Committee
Lady and Gentlemen,

6. For your information, attached is a letter to parents that school bus drivers will distribute to school
bus riders either tomorrow afternoon or Monday afternoon, advising them of pending school bus
service reductions.
[attachment “STS Flyer re suspension of school bus service 041312.pdf” deleted by Sandra
Goya/SUPT/HIDOE]
During the next several weeks we will be refining the cost to suspend school bus service, either
by canceling contracts and paying the contractors for the unamortized cost of buses, less their
current market value, or paying the idle bus charge that is set forth in contracts. We will also
continue to work with bus contractors on immediate cost reductions so that the service reductions
can be moderated.
We expect to propose to the Board of Education in early May a firm plan to deal with the
reduction in funds.
Randy
Randolph G. Moore
Assistant Superintendent
Office of School Facilities and Support Services
phone (808) 586-3488
fax (808) 586-3445
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7. 04/19/2012 10:15 AM -
Patricia Park/CENDO/HIDOE
04/19/2012 10:11 AM
To
Kathleen O’MalIey/AIEAE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Valarie
Kamemoto/ALIAMAN U/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Jan Iwase/HALEKULA/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Malaea
Wetzel/HALEIWA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ernest Muh/HELEMANO/HIDOE@HI DOE, John
Erickson/HICKAM/HIDOE@HIDOE, Dale Tanouye/ILIAH IE/HI DOE@ HI DOE, Ted
Fisher/KAALA/H IDOE@HI DOE, Corinne Yogi/KIPAPA/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Denise
Arai/MAKALAPA/HI DOE@ HI DOE, Steve Nakasato/M ILl KE/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Carol
Petersen/MILMAUKA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Heather Wilhelm/MILUKA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Dale
Castro/MILWAENA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ben Meyer/MOANAE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Bart
Nakamoto/MOKULELE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Kenneth Lee/NIMITZ/HIDOE@HIDOE, James
Sunday/PEARLH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Dean Casupang/PEARLHKAI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Laureen
Dunn/PRIDGE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Robert Ginlack/PRIDGE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Mona
Smoot/REDH ILL/H IDOE@HI DOE, Duwayne Abe/SALTLAKE/HIDOE@ H IDOE, Sandra
Watanabe/ASCOTT/HI DOE@H IDOE, Robin Martin/SHAFTER/H IDOE@ H IDOE, Avis V
Nanbu/SOLOMON/HIDOE@HIDOE, Troy Tamura/WAHIAWA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Scott
Moore/WAIALUAE/H I DOE@ HIDOE, Keith Hui/WAI MALU/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Sherry
Vamada/WEBLING/HIDOE@HIDOE, Fred Murphy/WHEELER/HIDOE@HIDOE, Michael
Tokioka/AIEAH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Aloha Coleman/LEILEHUA/HIDOE@HIDOE, John
Brummel/MILILANH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Darrel Galera/MOAHS/HIDOE@HIDOE, Elias
AIi/RADFORD/HI DOE@ HIDOE, Randiann Porras-Tang/WAIALUAH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Tom
Kurashige/AIEAI/H IDOE@HI DOE, Robert Eggleston/ALIAMANUI/HI DOE@ HI DOE, Elynne
Chung/MILMID/HIDOE@HIDOE, Lisa Nagamine/MOANAI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Gayle
Yamaguchi/WAHIAWAI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Randiann Porras
Tang/WAIALUAH/HI DOE@H I DOE, Marcy Kagami/CENDO/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Gayle
lshikawa/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Joe Acklin/HAWAIIDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Mark
Arinaga/CENDO/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Lanette Darby/CEN DO/H IDOE@ HIDOE, Abey
Qureshi/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Laurie Pea/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Joseph
Laturnau/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Rick Nosaka/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Dale
Tanouye/ILIAHIE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Dean Kaneshiro/AIEAE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Cheryl
Morita/AIEAH/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Blame Takeguchi/AIEAI/H I DOE@ HIDOE, Peter
Tovey/ALIAMANU/H IDOE@HIDOE, Joanne Brinich/ALIAMAN UI/HI DOE@H IDOE, Agnes
Leinau/HALEKULA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Richard Shimabukuro/HICKAM/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ten
Boucher Thorstad/KAALA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Gary Hirata/KIPAPA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Sally

8. Omalza/LEILEHUA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Brian Fukuda/LEILEHUA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Sandra
Yoshimi/LEILEHUA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Brian Fukuda/LEILEHUA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Regina
Arakaki/MAKALAPA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Andrea Moore/MILILANH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Jim
Petersen/MILILANH/HIDOE@HIDOE, Christine Alexander/MILILANH/HIDOE@HIDOE,
Lynne Ajifu/MILIKE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Chad Matsuda/MILIKE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Gary
Harada/MILIKE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Kyle Shimabukuro/MILMAUKA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Greg
Nakasone/MILMID/HIDOE@HIDOE, Errol Hahn/MILMID/HIDOE@HIDOE, Shannon
Tamashiro/MILMID/HIDOE@HIDOE, Kawai Tao/MILUKA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Barron
Iwamura/MILWAENA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Lance Jyo/MOANCSA/HIDOE@HIDOE, Carol
Mann-Molay/MOANAE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Julia Toyama/MOAHS/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ben
Meyer/MOANAE/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Lynda Sadaoka/MOAHS/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Ten
Tabiolo/MOANAI/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Herman Leong/NIM ITZ/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Amy
Watanabe/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Carole lchiyama/PEARLHKAI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Faye
Furukawa/PRIDGE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Albert Hetrick/RADFORD/HIDOE@HIDOE, Robert
FreV/RADFORD/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Dygre Enos/RADFORD/H I DOE@ HIDOE, Alison
Higa/SALTLAKE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ronnell Nipp/SALTLAKE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Stephanie
Kamai/ASCOTT/HIDOE@HIDOE, Troy Fujimoto/SOLOMON/HIDOE@HIDOE, Garett
Yukumoto/WAHIAWAI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Tim Bollinger/WAHIAWAI/HIDOE@HIDOE,
Virgilio Basilio/WAIALUAH/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Aaron Okumura/WAIMALU/HIDOE@ H IDOE,
Joy Matsukawa/WHEELER/HIDOE@HIDOE, Wayne Koki/WHEELERI/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ten
Ushijima/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Amy Watanabe/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Robin
Yogi/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Lynn Kitaoka/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Bob
Davis/CENDO/HI DOE@ HIDOE, Darryl Mizusawa/CENDO/HIDOE@ HIDOE, Dale
Tanouye/ILIAHIE/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ann Castellano/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Rumi
Iinuma/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Daralyn Coffer/OHR/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ann
Gorospe/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Marlene Racho/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE
cc
Ten Ushijima/CENDO/HIDOE@HIDOE, Kathryn Matayoshi/SUPT/HIDOE@HIDOE, Ronn
Nozoe/SUPT/HIDOE@ H IDOE, Randy Moore/OSFSS/HIDOE@ HI DOE, Sandra
Goya/SUPT/HIDOE@HIDOE, Mamo Miner/FACILITIES/HIDOE@HIDOE
Subject
URGENT, URGENT, URGENT- SCHOOL BUSES!!!!! ii!!!!!

9. Colleagues,
It is very urgent and imperative that you communicate with others to see if you can
influence the decision makers regarding funding the $20M shortfall for public school
buses/transportation. Should there not be adequate funding, other then buses for
special needs students, almost all of Oahu schools will no longer have school buses.
This will dramatically affect the quality of life for our “local” and military impacted
students and their families.
The decision will be make this coming Tuesday, April 23 by the Conference Committee.
Unfortunately, no testimonies can be given at the closed meeting.
HOWEVER, THE APPROPRIATE LEADERS MUST RECEIVE YOUR LETTER, TEXT MESSAGE,
PHONE CALLS, ETC. BY TOMORROW 4/20. Pertinent information at the end of the e
mail.
Please communicate this message to everyone today and encourage them to lend their
“voices” by tomorrow.
Thank you for your assistance and commitment especially with this “sense of urgency”
-
that we are facing RIGHT NOW.
MAHALO.
fondly,
Pat
David Ige Chair, Senate Finance
-
sendige@capitol.hawaii.gov
Room 215
586-6230
Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair, House of Rep. Finance
repmoshiro~cai,itol.hawaii.gov
Room 306
586-6200

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