From Friends of Thomas Jefferson Elementary

This site is here to let the community know of the dangers that Jefferson Elementary School faces because of the existence of Senate Bill 237, commonly known as the 21st Century Bill.

What You Should Know About Senate Bill 237:

1. It allows private developers to lease public school land at three locations for 55 years or longer.
2. The DOE and the Board of Education can select any public school land in Hawaii, even if the land currently houses a school that has full attendance and is being fully utilized.
3. The private development does not have to include a school, meaning schools can be torn down to accommodate the construction of buildings that have ‘nonschool purposes’.
4. The private development must meet public purposes, which according to the bill includes “workforce rental housing units.”  (Translation:  High Rise Apartment Buildings can replace our schools and open space.)
5. During the identification and selection process, the board is required to hold only one public meeting in the affected community.  That means we get only one chance to have our voices be heard.

Why Jefferson Elementary Is At Risk:

1. Jefferson Elementary School sits on almost 15 acres of prime ocean view acreage in the heart of Waikiki.
2. Jefferson Elementary School, Waikiki Elementary School, and Ala Wai Elementary School were all mentioned as possible candidates for selection during the public hearing held at the capitol on March 27, 2013.
3. There has been a long history of attempts to sacrifice Jefferson Elementary School for the benefit of other building projects, including the Hawaii Convention Center.

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