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    Board of Education Business Meetings


APPROVED

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
Thursday, May 5, 2005
Kihei Elementary School Cafeteria

Minutes

ATTENDANCE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Breene Harimoto, Chairperson
Randall Yee, First Vice Chairperson
Herbert Watanabe, Second Vice Chairperson
Dr. Lei Ahu Isa
Shannon Ajifu
Mary Cochran
Margaret Cox
Troy Hashimoto
Cecil Heftel (Excused)
Karen Knudsen
Denise Matsumoto
Shirley Robinson (Excused)
Garrett Toguchi (Excused)

Galen Onouye, Executive Director
Alison Kim, Analyst

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION/HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

Patricia Hamamoto, Superintendent of Education
Stafford Nagatani, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Katherine Kawaguchi, Assistant Superintendent, OCISS
Greg Knudsen, Director, Communications Office
Sandra Goya, Communications Office, SUPT

Florence Yee, Acting State Librarian
Keith Fujio, Administrative Services Officer, Administrative Services Branch,
HSPLS

OTHERS

Dr. Allen Awaya, U.S. Pacific Command, J1HPS
Leiomalama Desha, Hawaii Government Employees Association




I. Call to Order

The general business meeting of the Board of Education (Board) was called to order by Chairperson Breene Harimoto at 3:35 p.m., in Kihei Elementary School Cafeteria.

II. Board Recognition of Achievements

None.

III. Approval of Minutes, Appointments, and Contracts

*A. Minutes

Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, to approve the minutes of the general business meetings held on April 7, 2005 and April 21, 2005, and the executive session held on April 21, 2005.

The motion carried unanimously.

B. Personnel Appointments

None.

*C. Contracts

1. Discussion/Action on the Following Contracts:

a) Family Support Services of West Hawaii Regarding Provision of a Language Arts Multicultural Program (LAMP) (Committee of the Whole on Budget and Fiscal Accountability) (Exhibit 1)

By direction of the Committee, Ms. Ajifu moved that the Board approve the personal services contract with Family Support Services of West Hawaii for the Language Arts Multicultural Program to enhance language, personal skills, and multi-cultural awareness of low-income second and third graders at Kealakehe Elementary School, in the amount of $36,481, effective upon approval to June 30, 2005.

The motion carried unanimously.

b) Service Provider Contracts for Schools Under Restructuring:
1) The National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) (Exhibit 2)

By the direction of the committee, Ms. Ajifu moved that the Board approve the personal services contract with the National Center on Education and the Economy, to serve as a comprehensive restructuring provider for seven schools identified for restructuring in School Year 2005-2006, in compliance with No Child Left Behind Act requirements, in the amount of $2,018,188, effective upon approval to June 30, 2006.

The motion carried unanimously.

2) Edison Alliance, a Division of Edison Schools, Inc. (Exhibit 3)

By the direction of the committee, Ms. Ajifu moved that the Board approve the personal services contract with Edison Alliance, A Division of Edison Schools, Inc., to serve as a comprehensive restructuring provider for seven schools identified for restructuring in School Year 2005-2006, in compliance with No Child Left Behind Act requirements, in the amount of $3,918,320, effective upon approval to June 30, 2006.

The motion carried unanimously.

3) ETS Pulliam (Exhibit 4)

By the direction of the Committee, Ms. Ajifu moved that the Board of Education approve the personal services contract with ETS Pulliam, to serve as a comprehensive restructuring provider for six schools identified for restructuring in School Year 2005-2006, in compliance with No Child Left Behind Act requirements, in the amount of $2,005,540, effective upon approval to June 30, 2006.

(Committee of the Whole on Budget and Fiscal Accountability)

The motion carried unanimously.

IV. Reports

A. Board Officers and Board Committee Chairpersons

Mr. Harimoto reported that the Governor will announce the Board member replacement for the Windward district, at a press conference on Friday, May 6, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., in the Governor’s Office. Mr. Harimoto announced the following upcoming events:

§ Board workshops with Mr. Joseph Villani, Deputy Executive Director, National School Boards Association (NSBA), are currently scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. to cover the Board’s performance, and on Saturday, June 18, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to focus on strategic planning and goal setting of the Board. Board members were asked to contact Mr. Onouye regarding their attendance at these workshops.

§ The Board will be compiling a list of conferences for the remainder of the 2005 year and for the beginning of the next 2006 year.

§ There will be a Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Convention on Sunday, May 15, 2005, which is to be held in conjunction with the Board’s community meeting.

§ The Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation Annual Recognition Dinner is on Tuesday, May 17, 2005.

§ Public school graduations will be from late May to early June. Board members will be attending the school ceremonies.

§ There will be a Student Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 16, 2005, at Hilton Hawaiian Village, at 11:30 a.m.

§ The Board will begin planning its Board community meetings for the upcoming 2005-2006 school year.

Mr. Harimoto reported that he and Mr. Onouye had a meeting with the State Comptroller and the Superintendent regarding the Department’s and Board’s space requirements.

Ms. Cochran reported that the next Committee of a Whole on Special Programs meeting will be on Monday, May 9, 2005. Ms. Cochran said that the committee will discuss drafted regulations and guidelines for surfing, and the Gifted and Talented Program.

Mr. Harimoto reported that the next Ad Hoc Oversight Committee on the Reinventing Education Act of 2004 (Ad Hoc Committee) meeting will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Harimoto said that the Ad Hoc Committee will discuss issues that were referred to the Committee on Weights for a follow-up review.

Other Board committee chairperson reports were deferred to later in the meeting.

B. Board Executive Director

Mr. Onouye reported that the Legislature has adjourned.

Mr. Onouye said that this is one of the few times in which the Board does not have legislation that affects the Board directly.

Mr. Onouye stated that the Board is fortunate to have Mr. Joseph Villani of NASBE, provide workshops to the Board in June.

Mr. Onouye reported that he has been elected to be on the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Leadership Development Committee, which sets up topics that are presented at the national board conferences.

C. Superintendent

1 District Video Presentation: “A Day in the Life at Kihei Elementary”

Ms. Kokx’s third grade class, from Kihei Elementary School, performed “The Wizard of Oz,” under the direction of Ms. Sharon McElroy.

Ms. Erin Terry, fifth grade teacher at Kihei Elementary School, presented a ten-minute video on “A Day in the Life at Kihei Elementary.”

Ms. Patricia Hamamoto provided an overview of the following documents:

§ Superintendent’s INFO X-CHANGE (Exhibit 6)

§ Department of Education Legislative Bill Tracking Crossover Bills – As of May 4, 2005 (Exhibit 7)

§ Personnel Appointments Recommendation for the Month of April 2005 (Exhibit 8)

Ms. Hamamoto commended Maui High School senior Christian S. Ling, who was selected as a 2005 Presidential Scholar on May 3, 2005. (Exhibit 6) Mr. Ling thanked his family and his “most influential teacher,” Mr. Ed Ginoza for his success.

Ms. Hamamoto reported that Mr. Alvin Shima is a nominee for the Maui District Principal of the Year and the Masuyuki Tokiyoka Excellence in School Leadership Award. (Exhibit 6)

Ms. Hamamoto announced that the public school graduation dates are listed. (Exhibit 6)

Ms. Hamamoto reported that invitations will be sent to all Board members to attend the “2005 Educational Leadership Conference,” held on Monday, June 13, 2005, at 8:30 a.m., at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom.

Ms. Hamamoto reported that there is a Citizen Award Program that awards a $1,000 scholarship to one senior from every high school. Ms. Hamamoto said that there will be a luncheon honoring those selected seniors at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at 11:30 a.m.

D. State Librarian

Ms. Florence Yee introduced Kathleen Ageton, librarian, Kihei Public Library.

Ms. Ageton briefly discussed Kihei Public Library’s storytime and programs for young children, with the aim to hook children on the habits of reading early in life. (Exhibit 5)

Ms. Yee gave an update on the vacancy report and “Letters About Literature,” a national reading and writing promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Ms. Yee commended Lanai High and Elementary School for having five essays in the semi-finals of Letters About Literature, of which there were 46,000 entries that were submitted nationwide.

Mr. Keith Fujio gave an update on House Bill No. 100, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1. (Exhibit 5)

E. Charter School Administrative Office Executive Director

1. Presentation by Kihei Public Charter High School Students and Staff:
Mr. Mark Christiano, Ms. Gail Weaver, Mr. Dan Kuhar, Ms. Janessa Galdwell-Garcia, Ms. Katie Enochs, Ms. Maryanne Alexander, and Ms. Caitlyn Gregg gave presentations on the following:

a) Student Project Presentations

b) Graduation Competencies

c) The KHS Standards-Based Report Card

F. Military Representative

Dr. Allen Awaya reported that Ms. Yuki Lei Sugimura could not attend today’s meeting. Dr. Awaya commended Ms. Sugimura for coordinating all of the 3Rs projects on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai over the past two years, and described her as one of the “schools’ unsung heroes” for her many contributions.

Dr. Awaya reported that a meeting was convened last week regarding incidences that have occurred in several military impacted schools over the last three months. Dr. Awaya said that the attendees included the Deputy Superintendent, principals, the Department’s Safety and Security Services Section, senior military leaders, and military school liaison officers.

Dr. Awaya informed Board members of the JVEF (Joint Venture Education Forum) Fourth annual meeting on August 30, 2005.

G. Hawaii State Student Council

Mr. Hashimoto gave an update on the Hawaii State Student Council: (1) transition of student members from this current school year to the next school year; (2) a Student Leadership Workshop on July 19, 2005, at the University of Hawaii; and (3) elections on May 19, 2005, for the new replacement of the Hawaii State Student Board member for School Year 2005-2006.

IV. Reports

Board members resumed Item IV. Reports, which had been deferred from earlier in the meeting.

A. Board Officers and Board Committee Chairpersons

Ms. Matsumoto reported that the Committee of the Whole on Regular Education, K-12, will meet on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. Discussion will be on recommending the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III (HCPS III) for language arts and mathematics to the full Board for approval.

H. Other Boards, Commissions, Councils

None.

I. Board Members’ Concerns

Ms. Knudsen raised a concern regarding the Weighted Student Formula (WSF). Ms. Knudsen said she would like a more thorough understanding of the WSF in terms of the analysis and process of what has been done at the Department level on the WSF.

Mr. Harimoto said that the Board can take Ms. Knudsen’s concern up at the Ad Hoc Committee meeting. Mr. Harimoto said that if there are any questions or concerns Board members may have, to let the Department know in advance.

In response to Dr. Ahu Isa regarding substitute teachers’ raises, Ms. Hamamoto stated that the legislation on substitute teachers’ salaries passed. The Legislature created three classes of teacher substitutes.

V. Executive Session on Personnel, Collective Bargaining, and Legal Matters

Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, for the Board to go immediately into executive session.

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 5:15 p.m., and was recalled to order in open session at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Watanabe thanked Kihei Elementary School staff for hosting the Board general business meeting. Ms. Cochran introduced Board members to Kihei Elementary School staff and the public. Mr. Hashimoto presented a gift from the Board to Kihei Elementary School, and thanked Principal Alvin Shima for his school’s great hospitality. Ms. Hamamoto also thanked Mr. Shima and Kihei Elementary School staff. Ms. Hamamoto introduced her Department staff and Mr. Kenneth Nomura, Complex Area Superintendent of the Maui Central District. Mr. Nomura introduced the principals, teachers, and other specialists who attended the meeting.

VI. Requests and Petitions from the Public, Including Input on Board Action Items

The following individuals testified in support of surfing becoming an interscholastic sport in the public schools: Mr. Kim Ball (Attachment A), Mr. Neal Norris (Attachment B), Mr. Mike Chavez, Mr. Ken Goring, Ms. Joni Wong, Ms. Kitty Walsh (Attachment C), Ms. Jan Apo, Ms. Geina Joy, Ms. Tanya Larson, and Mr. Robin Brooks.

Mr. Mark Smith, sixth grade teacher at Lahaina Intermediate School, testified that the single school calendar is a good idea, but the proposed 1-3-2 calendar option is not. (Attachment D)

Ms. Rachel Hu, student at Kahului School, testified on the $10,000 prize Kahului Elementary School received from the State of Hawaii for recycling, and commended the school for its curriculum and teachers. (Attachment E)

Ms. Fern Markgraf, principal of Kahului Elementary School, testified on the impact of restructuring on the school. (Attachment F)

Mr. John Tam, County of Maui Deputy Prosecutor, testified on after-hour school security, and recruitment, training, and higher compensation for substitute teachers. He asked that the Board look into policies regarding these items. Mr. Harimoto referred these items to the Committee of the Whole on Support Services.

Ms. Deborah Hill testified on the Community Children’s Council. (Attachment G)

Ms. Penelope Olson, parent, testified on the Department’s services for children with autism.

Ms. Gene Zarro, Ms. Jamie Wilcox, and Mr. Nick Commit, thanked the Board for its support of charter schools this year.

Ms. Kathy Arbourn, parent, thanked the Board for its work.

VII. Recommendations for Action

A. Discussion/Action on the Proposed Compliance Procedure for the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in Public Charter Schools (Chairperson)

Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, that the Board approve the proposed compliance procedure for implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act in the public charter schools.

Mr. Yee stated that this item was heard before the Committee of the Whole on New Century Charter Schools, but due to lack of a quorum, the item was moved from the committee to the full Board.

The motion carried unanimously.

B. Discussion/Action on a Board of Education Resolution Recognizing the Public Charter Schools of Hawaii on the 5th Anniversary of the First Five (Chairperson)
Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, that the Board approve the Board of Education Resolution recognizing the public charter schools of Hawaii on the Fifth Anniversary of the First Five.

Mr. Yee read the Board Resolution recognizing the public charter schools. (Exhibit 13)

Mr. Harimoto said the Board will present the resolution to the charter schools at their convention in May 2005.

The motion carried unanimously.

C. Discussion/Action on the Department of Education Operating Budget Initial Allocations for Fiscal Year 2005-2006, Pending the Legislature’s and Governor’s Decisions on the State Budget (Chairperson)

Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, that the Board approve the Department of Education Operating Budget initial allocations for Fiscal Year 2005-2006, pending the Legislature’s and the Governor’s decisions on the State Budget.

Ms. Knudsen reported that this item was brought to the Board due to a lack of quorum in committee.

The motion carried unanimously.

D. Discussion/Action on Proposed Amendments to Board of Education Policy 2411, “School Community Councils” (Committee of the Whole on Regular Education, K-12)

By direction of the committee, Ms. Matsumoto moved that the Board approve the proposed amendments to Board of Education Policy 2411, School Community Councils Policy, as discussed.

In response to Ms. Knudsen regarding the questions and comments of the Hawaii Government Employees Association about the policy, Ms. Matsumoto said that the questions can be addressed in the School Community Councils employee handbook, which the Department is developing.

The motion carried unanimously.

E. Discussion/Action on Proposed Amendments to Board of Education Policy 2412, School Community Council Waivers and School Community Council Exceptions Policy (Committee of the Whole on Regular Education, K-12)

By direction of the committee, Ms. Matsumoto moved that the Board approve the proposed amendments to Board of Education Policy 2412, School Community Council Waivers and School Community Council Exceptions Policy, as discussed.

The motion carried unanimously.

VIII. Adjournment

Mr. Yee moved, and Mr. Watanabe seconded, to adjourn the meeting.

The motion carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.



Submitted for Approval




________________________________
GALEN K. ONOUYE, Esq.
Executive Director


Approved by Board




________________________________
BREENE HARIMOTO
Chairperson