State lawmakers currently are vetting legislation that would establish public-private partnerships for the redevelopment of select public school lands to build 21st century schools and create more school-centered communities.

I applaud our state leaders for taking the steps needed to create sound policy that focuses on helping communities face growing challenges in technology and education infrastructure.

With severely limited public funds, our government must consider innovative and bold solutions to bring Hawaii’s schools into the 21st century.

Hawaii currently has 260 public schools with a $266 million repair and maintenance backlog. In the next biennium, capital improvement costs needed for our school infrastructure are expected to reach nearly $621 million.

The state Department of Education also reported that 11 more schools would need to be built to serve growing communities, especially those in West Oahu and on the neighbor islands.

The proposed 21st century schools pilot program would generate money to retrofit public schools by allowing private developers to lease land from the state to invest in projects such as workforce housing and retail and commercial ventures. Such public-private partnerships are also an excellent way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

However, careful consideration must be given to the proposals on the table as lawmak- ers meet in conference committee to refine plans for the proposed program.

Many supporters of this legislation — including the governor, state Department of Education, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs and Pacific Resource Partnership — believe a community-based policy and planning approach is essential to its success.

Consider the planning, community input and work needed to develop community-centered 21st century schools:

» A project site or sites must be identified;

» Procurement requirements must be met;

» A thorough environmental review must be completed;

» Most important, an extensive community outreach and participation process must be planned and implemented.

None of these steps can or should be taken hastily. All stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate efficiently and effectively in order to complete the necessary steps required by government regulations and procedures. And, in some cases, certain steps in the process may take longer than initially planned.

To have a realistic chance of success, any project would need at least five years to complete the necessary planning process. A three-year pilot program does not provide enough time to serve as "proof of concept." I encourage our legislators to consider this as they shape the policy that will benefit our public schools system.

Let’s do this right. Let’s create a policy that is feasible and ensures appropriate planning time. Let’s make sure that this great progressive idea has a chance.

The future of our children’s education depends on it.