Only 1 of 249
schools found
unworthy

The volunteer inspection
teams rate Lahainaluna on Maui
as unacceptable after
the survey

By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

Only one of 249 schools visited by inspection teams this year was deemed unacceptable, the state Department of Education has reported to a school board committee.

Last year, no schools were rated unacceptable.

But as funding for repair and maintenance dwindles, schools may have a tougher time.

"I think we foresee some problems ahead, within the next two to three years," department facilities chief Lester Chuck said, noting that the proposed $9.6 million appropriation in the Legislature is not enough to maintain rating levels.

School inspections are conducted by volunteers. Teams looked at six areas -- grounds, building exterior, building interiors, furniture and equipment, safety and sanitation, and gave a score of 1 to 3 in each area.

According to the report, submitted yesterday, 120 schools received a rating of "very good," with 36 having a perfect score of 18.

Also, 128 schools received an "acceptable" rating and one school -- Lahainaluna on Maui -- was rated unacceptable with a score of 8.

Chuck noted improvements since the 1990-91 and 1991-92 school years. Fifteen schools were deemed unacceptable in the first year, and the number rose to 17 in the second year.

But members of the Support Services Committee were leery of this year's numbers given the deterioration they saw on a video last week of Radford High School's buildings.

Board member Mike Victorino of Maui said Radford received a score of 12, which is acceptable. He said Lahainaluna may have some problems but was "not nearly as bad" as what he saw on the video of Radford High School.

Nakano said Radford's conditions were "totally atrocious" and, with its acceptable rating, he is also suspect of the criteria.

Chuck said many problems -- such as the live termites -- shown in the Radford video, which was shot in October, have been taken care of.

He also said inspection teams receive training prior to the inspections.

Assistant Superintendent Al Suga said that besides the announced inspections, unannounced inspections are conducted at schools on either end of the rating spectrum.

Suga also said that schools at one time were getting $8,000 each for repair and maintenance, but that number has shrunk to $2,000.

"If you cut back on repair and maintenance, it's going to affect the performances of the school inspections," Suga said.