Anzai legal team
to handle special-needs
students issues

By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

When state Attorney General Earl Anzai goes before the Senate for confirmation hearings next year, he'll have one less piece of baggage that some senators said tripped up his predecessor.

Anzai's office has formed a new team of lawyers to provide more legal help to schools and state mental health officials surrounding issues in the federal Felix consent decree covering services to special needs students.

"The state appreciates the complexity of the Felix consent decree and the (education and health) departments' need for timely reliable legal services," Anzai said in a statement released by the Department of Education.

State senators who voted against the reappointment of Anzai's predecessor, Margery Bronster, during the last session cited her office's lack of response when special education teachers, principals and others sought answers to legal questions in Felix cases.

Several senators could not be reached for comment.

Anzai, who also lost his job as state budget director to a Senate vote but was to replace Bronster, will be up for confirmation to his new post during the next legislative session.

State Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu welcomed the added legal assistance.

Deputy Attorney General Russell Suzuki, who has been the Department of Education's chief legal counsel, will oversee the team of attorneys. The unit is headed by Deputy Attorney General Holly Shikada and also includes deputies Steven Chang and Anne Randolph.