Education candidates
tell how they would
improve schools

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Eenie, meenie, minie, mo. Some voters are saying that a lot these days in trying to make their Board of Education picks.

East Honolulu resident Chris Baron is one such voter: He recognized just a few names among the school board candidates on his ballot. He's going out of his way to learn about them--but it hasn't been easy.

Besides newspaper coverage, "the only other things I see is yard signs, and it doesn't tell you anything substantive about their positions," Baron said. "The board determines so much of the values and content of what children are learning--moral values, ethics, right and wrong--it's very important who we put in there."

Twenty-three candidates are vying for six board seats--one each in the Central, Windward and Maui districts; and three seats for Oahu at-large. The top two candidates for each seat go on to the general election Nov. 3.

Hoping to keep their Oahu seats are Francis McMillen, Central district; Winston Sakurai, Windward; and John Compton, Karen Knudsen and Keith Sakata, at-large.

Many of the candidates agreed on the key obstacles to student achievement: the school system's lack of a strategic plan, accountability and resources.

Central District

Incumbent McMillen, a board member since 1986, said lack of accountability holds students back. Instruction is not evaluated to ensure that what's taught is learned, he said, and it shows in inadequate SAT scores.

The ability to communicate verbally and to write proper English is of utmost importance if students are to succeed, said Realtor associate Marilee Lyons, one of three challengers for this seat.

In addition to focusing on reading programs in the primary grades, reducing class size is the answer, said Debra Rezents, a private-school physical education teacher.

Inconsistent support for education from candidates during election years seems to be the biggest hurdle students face, said student-teacher Howard Chi. "Promises are never kept, and education then becomes the budding jokes of political rhetoric."

Windward District

"The present system is the Titanic without a true course," said James Kuroiwa Jr., a landscape contractor and one of three Windward candidates.

Effective, visionary leadership and a master plan for education is crucial, agreed Jacqueline Heupel, Moanalua High principal.

Incumbent Sakurai said the lack of qualified teachers and inadequate classroom resources hinder student achievement. Student-teacher ratios must be lowered, he said, and more funds given for classroom supplies, equipment and books.

Oahu At-large

Eight challengers are looking to unseat the three incumbents.

Financial planner Alan Matsuda said the Department of Education is "provider-driven" rather than consumer-driven. "We need to evolve the corporate culture of our DOE so everyone involved will focus supremely on our students' needs."

Hawaii's youth will achieve if they are held to high expectations and high standards, said incumbent Knudsen.

Attorney and college instructor Damien Horigan proposes curriculum reform that emphasizes English and math for all four years of high school, and supports teaching Hawaiian or a foreign language for all secondary students.

Retired teacher Shannon Ajifu said disruptive students who interfere with the quality of instruction hold back other students.

Incumbent Sakata, who cited lower student-teacher ratios as a goal, also proposed expanding alternative learning programs for disruptive students.

Incumbent Compton said partisan politics complicates the task of improving the school system and prevents resources from reaching where they're most needed. Tutoring for students having difficulty in basic language and math skills can make a difference, he added.

Malcolm Kirkpatrick, a math teacher and tutor, and Marilyn Harris, a program director for Healthy Start Waianae, differ on how to improve test scores. He suggests raising the compulsory attendance age from 6 to 7, saying that yields higher scores.

But Harris says teaching children earlier will not only improve test scores, but what they learn. "We begin our children's formal education at 5, yet their peak learning time is 0 to 5."

While study and technology programs could be key to raising test scores, "family involvement in education is a must," said Denita Waltz, a representative for the Central Oahu Community Children's Council.

Besides lack of resources, the DOE's failure to respond to parental and community input in a timely manner is an obstacle, said retired librarian and teacher Marcia Linville. Early assessment and intervention is needed, she said.

A lack of parental involvement and poor academic environments result in low test scores, said James V. Hall, writer/researcher. "We need better leadership in the schools who can encourage parental involvement and upgrade the learning environment."