Board of Education
DEPARTMENT 4: CENTRAL
Eileen Ishihara Clarke
Nonpartisan
Age: 63
Job: Newly retired school renewal specialist, Aiea Complex, Central District, Department of Education
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
My family, children, and I have all attended public schools. I have been a teacher, administrator and an educational specialist for over 35 years in the Department of Education. Also, I've been actively involved in several educational and community organizations.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
First, policies should be established that clearly address the safety and security of all. Secondly, each school should take a proactive stance by creating a climate of trust, care, personal responsibility, school pride and mutual respect.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
a. Create better working conditions for teachers. b. Provide better support, respect, and appreciation for all teachers. c. Work with local colleges and universities to provide quality, user-friendly and inviting teacher training programs.
Shirley A. Robinson
Nonpartisan
Age: 55
Job: BOE member
Past: State Commission on Status of Women, Aiea neighborhood board member
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have learned a lot having served nearly four years as an elected BOE member. I represent the public's voice relative to citizen governance. I am also an advocate for what our children need and what the community wants.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
We need to enforce a no tolerance for bullying. This includes resorting to suspensions and expulsions of bullies. However, the bullies need to be targeted and rehabilitated early. Our children and teachers need to feel safe at school.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
The BOE needs to set the political agenda to procure the necessary funding and support of the DOE. The board should also make sure that the DOE optimizes such funding to retain the best and brightest educators.
DEPARTMENT 6: WINDWARD
Kris DeRego
Nonpartisan
Age: 24
Job: Speechwriter
Past: I work with several social and environmental non-profit organizations
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
The challenges of the 21st century demand a new standard in educational leadership. ... I bring a fresh vision for our schools that puts the needs of our children before the pressures of politics.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
The freedom to learn must also include freedom from fear. I will work to strengthen the discipline policy in response to bullies and violent offenders while simultaneously promoting service learning opportunities to increase the social skills of troubled students.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
In order to recruit and retain qualified teachers, the board must work to provide affordable professional development in new technology, eliminate delayed salary payments, streamline the teacher certification process and mandate smaller, more manageable class sizes.
John R. Penebacker
Nonpartisan
Age: 60
Job: Retired library administrator and retired military
Past: 1978 Concon delegate, BOE 1980-1988
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I served previously on the Board of Education from 1980-1988. Introduced the 2.0 policy and Chapter 19 rule. My three children attended public schools and now my two grandchildren attend public schools.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Establish policies that would provide a clear and secure school which would allow students to focus on learning with minimal distractions. Develop alternative educational opportunity for students who are unproductive in the traditional school setting would also add stability in the classroom.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
Work with the state administrator (gov), state Legislature and collective bargaining to create "teacher incentives" that would help retain and reward teachers.
AT-LARGE
Darwin L.D. Ching
Nonpartisan
Age: 60
Job: Attorney
Past: Former teacher; board of directors for Palama Settlement
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Former teacher, public school graduate and grandfather of Denby Nagata, Dara Nagata and Mira Ching (with another Ching on the way). I am committed to public service and education.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Prevention is key, but punishment and sanctions must be known consequences which we would carry out if necessary. I would work on formulating and implementing needed changes to the BOE/DOE policies, rules and statutes.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
Besides providing a safer learning environment, more incentives and higher pay will be key in the long run. The University of Hawaii College of Education and other private universities will have to graduate more teachers per year.
Donna R. Ikeda
Nonpartisan
Age: 67
Job: Retired; former state legislator, BOE member, part-time teacher
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
My past employment experience as well as my experience raising three children and two grandchildren.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Parents must shoulder the responsibility for their children's actions. Lacking that, if a situation is brought to the attention of school officials without resolution, the board's ombudsman should be contacted. I also favor taking drastic action in severe cases ...
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
Very little without the Legislature's support. For starters, school and classroom environment needs to be improved. Also, new teachers should be paid in a timely manner and funds should not be withheld from the first month's salary ...
AT-LARGE
Kim Coco Iwamoto
Nonpartisan
Age: 38
Job: Civil-rights attorney
Past: Therapeutic foster parent; Youth Leadership Development coordinator
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Member of DOE Safe Schools Community Advisory Committee; participate at BOE & Committee meetings; and advocate for youth. I passionately believe that providing every child a quality education is the wisest investment we can make toward our community's future success.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Bullying and harassment are reduced through continual education, modeling behavior, and other effective alternatives to suspension or criminalization. Juvenile restorative justice is a great teaching tool and effective practice. In extreme situations, we need social service providers working with families.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
We need to provide scholarships to Hawaii students who want to become public school teachers, offer competitive compensation packages to recruit and retain great teachers, provide no-charge continuing education and professional development courses to teachers, and offer incentives.
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Karen Knudsen
Nonpartisan
Age: 55
Job: Board of Education, Oahu-at-Large; director, Office of External Affairs, East-West Center
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
As a current member of the Board of Education, I bring experience and perspective to the board. I've seen progress made and also see how much more needs to be accomplished. I am also a parent of two public school graduates.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Early intervention, parent and teacher training, providing a positive environment and atmosphere of respect at the school are imperative to stemming bullying and violence at schools. In addition, the board's ad hoc committee on student safety will soon present their plan.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
Improving the working conditions, limiting excess paperwork, responding to concerns, and providing communication avenues for teachers with the board and DOE administrators are within the board's capability. Unfortunately, the high cost of living in Hawaii is outside our control.
Terrance W.H. Tom
Nonpartisan
Age: 58
Job: Attorney
Past: State representative ; chairman of Advisory Council, Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
As a state legislator, I was responsible in writing many of Hawaii's laws. As an attorney, I will be able to understand and interpret policies adopted by the board. ... I will be a strong voice for Hawaii's children.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Violence, harassment, and bullying should be addressed immediately by strict enforcement of the Student Discipline Policy . Information and training should be provided to parents, students and school faculty. All students have the right to be educated in a safe environment.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
In order to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, the board needs to be a strong voice to raise teachers' salaries; to maintain teachers' health and retirement benefits; and to repair and equip our classrooms with telephones and technological support.
Brian Y. Yamane
Nonpartisan
Age: 59
Job: Insurance producer
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I am a father and grandfather with many years of community and legislative experience.
How would you address violence and bullying in the schools?
Should not be tolerated; parents need to take responsibility for their children; increase use of peer mediation; consider use of peer security teams.
What can the board do about high teacher turnover and teacher shortages?
A place to start would be looking to make teaching enjoyable. Review the job duties of teachers and see where work can be modified to allow for more class time and less report time.
