All but three of 245 schools received ratings of acceptable to very good in the annual evaluation for safety, cleanliness and upkeep. It's the second-best performance since the Department of Education's inspection program began in 1990.

Last year, no schools received unacceptable ratings.

The program relies on inspection teams picked by principals, parent-teacher organizations and school/community-based management councils. More than 1,500 volunteers participated in the 1996-97 school year inspections.

Some community members have criticized the selection process, saying more independent inspectors are needed. But Department of Education officials defend the program.

"It has accomplished a great deal in getting the community involved and getting the schools' consciousness raised and directed toward repair and maintenance," said department spokesman Greg Knudsen.

Schools were graded on a scale of six to 18. Of the 245 schools, 15 had perfect scores, while 69 were rated as "very good" with scores of 16 or 17. "Acceptable" scores of 9-15 were given to 158 schools.

Oahu's Wheeler Elementary and Kalaheo High schools and Maui's Lahainaluna High School each received "unacceptable" scores of 7.

The first inspection in 1990 found 14 schools failing. One Pearl City school, Momilani Elementary, worked its way up from a failing grade of 8 then to a perfect score this year. Baldwin High School on Maui went from a worst-possible 6 in 1990 to 17 this year.

Despite this year's overall good marks, department officials say funding still stands in the way of many needed improvements. They say the current $38 million annual appropriation for repairs and maintenance needs to be increased to at least $65 million.

Senate Education Co-Chairman Rod Tam said he is sponsoring legislation to raise the appropriation to $44 million and give schools each $4,000 on top of the $4,000 they now receive a year in separate, discretionary funding for repair and maintenance.