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State Board
of Education
*Denotes incumbentHonolulu
Dick Brawley
Age: 50
Job: Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and adjunct faculty for Hawaii Pacific and Wayland universities
Years here: 50What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Aside from well over 20 years of organizational leadership experience, community service and an educational background which includes a master's in education and a juris doctor, I bring a personal long-term commitment to make our public schools respected first-class learning centers.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
For starters, the board needs to start doing its job by holding the superintendent to task for failing to aggressively implement existing approved accountability plans.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
The establishment and implementation of a high school complex school/community-based management that fosters a more community-oriented policy making body that incorporates all of a particular high school's middle and elementary school feeders. Instead of a several hundred individual programs, such consolidation will create a uniquely tailored community effort.
Malcolm Kirkpatrick
Age: 51
Job: Tutor
Years here: 51What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Attended Hawaii state schools K-12 and UH (BA in math). Teacher in Hawaii DOE 1982-1995. Testified before the Commission on Performance Standards, the House and Senate Education Committees, Board of Education, and the Teacher Standards Board. Work experience from teaching to cannery worker and industrial diver.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
It is a conflict of interest for the state DOE simultaneously to operate and evaluate schools. Students, parents, and teacher must be able to abandon failing schools. Open enrollment in school-complex level districts, credit-by-exam for a grade, and subsidized home schooling would compel state schools to reform.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Hire parents on personal-service contracts to provide for their own children's education. Make payment contingent on performance at or above grade-level expectations as measured by standardized tests of reading and math. Offer GED at any age.
Denise Matsumoto*
Age: 39
Job: Preschool teacher
Years here: 17What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have been on the board for several years and have been instrumental in many current reform efforts such as the establishment of the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards Commission and subsequent standards. I was able to get literacy policy adopted which requires every child be a proficient reader and writer by the end of third grade. I want to continue to see these ... implemented.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
An accountability plan must include: Clear standards and/or expectations for teachers, administrators, parents and students. Then, meaningful evaluation tools which are both standardized and individualized for teachers, students and principals based on these expectations. And depending on the results, a means of rewarding or intervention for everyone.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
The program I would give priority to in the budget: Improvement in reading through the implementation of the board's literacy policy is my top priority. We need funds to train principals and teachers especially in phonemic awareness instruction and phonics, to administer a reading pre and post test for students in grades 1-3 and to additional help for students who need it. ...
Leeward
Dave Gilbert
Age: 49
Job: Educator
Years here: 20What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have taught principally quantitative courses at various levels over the past two decades. My teaching experience includes positions with (then) Hawaii Pacific College, Chaminade University, UH-West Oahu, and the University of Phoenix. My teaching experience with the Leeward District includes science and math coursework at Waianae, Waipahu, and Campbell high schools.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
With the coming implementation of "standards," teachers and administrators will be scrutinized in their performance. This is as it should be. It becomes even more important that members of the BOE work with the schools (especially parents and teachers) to arrive at equitable and accurate assessment methods.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Aggressive efforts must be continued in maintaining and repairing existing schools. The backlog of repair and construction work now exceeds $200 million statewide! I am biased in that I think particular emphasis in school repair and new school construction needs to be applied to Hawaii's fastest-growing population center -- the Leeward District.
Marilyn Harris
Age: 55
Job: Program director for Healthy Start Waianae
Years here: 8What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I will bring vision and the logic, skill, and intelligence to create the plans that will build the vision. There are always enough people to tell us why we can't do something, but a lack of those who can say how we can do it.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
The tools to accomplish the task: books, class supplies, adequate classroom environment, smaller classes, children entering school with the basic skills necessary to succeed, sufficient funding to support the system. From adequate funding by the governor and Legislature to community support of the child, we are all accountable.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
The Felix decree is an opportunity to bring children we have failed up to standard, cutting bureaucracy and limiting rules, and achieve adequate funding in one area. Funding must be additional and not shifted from other priorities. When this is accomplished we will move to other children we have failed.
Ronald Correa Mata
Age: 61
Job: Retired FAA official, current programs specialist for state Department of Human Services
Years here: 54What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Parent/grandparent of seven public schoolchildren. Knowledgeable of learning concepts as an instructor for the FAA and Foster Grandparent Program. Interacts daily with public schools' special education classes and Head Start programs. Coached and taught children ages 7-18 for over 20 years in youth/high school soccer and volleyball.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Accountability begins with everyone from the front-line teachers to the schools superintendent. Everyone involved should have defined objectives and standards to be accomplished. Each person has their part to be responsible for. If objectives cannot be met at certain levels, we must identify the problem and seek to resolve it.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Priority given to supplies, materials, books, aids, computers, environmental improvements, etc. All of these necessities to make learning enjoyable. Supply the students with the tools that they need to learn. Our priorities start at the forefront of learning-the classroom. Help our teachers to teach our children.
Ronald B. Y. Nakano*
What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?Did not respond.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Did not respond.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Did not respond.
Kauai
William 'Bill' Georgi
What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?Did not respond.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Did not respond.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Did not respond.
Sherwood Hara
Age: 63
Job: Retired Family Court director
Years here: 63What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
My experiences as the Family Court director and former Board of Education member (1980-1988). I was the first and second vice chairperson and chairperson of the Personnel, Library, Classification, Student Affairs and Vocational-Technical Committees. I have been an advocate for learning disabled young persons as the Family Court director.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Identifying the standards of achievements and doing a survey to measure the schools performance against the standards. If a school is overachieving, it may be useful for developing positive methods of improvement. If a school is underachieving, every effort should be undertaken to support the classroom and its teachers, for this is where learning begins and ends for the children.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
During my tenure on the Board of Education, I became the co-author of the educational policy lowering the classroom to 20:1. This was achieved in the mid-'80s for grades K-2. Grades 3-6 was the second phase in 1988 when I left the board. I would give priority to lowering the class ratio to 20:1 for all classes.
Mitsugi Nakashima*
What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?Did not respond.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Did not respond.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Did not respond.
At Large
Jim Brewer
Age: 60
Job: Employee advocacy educator and organizer/TV producer
Years here: 27What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I helped rear six public school children. Beginning in the '80s I lobbied for school reform and the A+ program. Ultimate responsibility for Hawaii's public schools and libraries lies with the Board of Education. I will call a spade a spade to bring public schools and libraries up to standards.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
I would include mobilizing and organizing parents to compel the Legislature to invest in education to properly fund our half-funded public libraries and woefully underfunded public schools. Rising tax revenues is increasingly helpful in this regard. A fiscal and management audit, easily understandable to taxpayers, is also needed.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
I would give priority to classroom-level funding and staffing with enough properly paid teachers, teachers' aides and counselors to bring our students' overall performance up to world-class standards. During the next four years that means raising public school funding by 20 percent and doubling public library funding.
Lex Brodie*
What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?Did not respond.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Did not respond.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Did not respond.
Rachel E. Choi
What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?Did not respond.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Did not respond.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Did not respond.
Carol Gabbard
Age: 53
Job: Self-employed candymaker/distributor and sales manager for health and nutritional products
Years here: 17What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I've taught in public and private schools and at home for more than 20 years. I've run successful businesses and was a legislative aide in Hawaii. Our schools fail to teach kids what they need to learn, yet succeed in teaching them values that are in opposition to those taught at home. I want to help reverse this situation.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Responsibility for learning and achieving desired results should be shared by students, teachers and parents. Standards and goals should be set, with each party committing to do their part to achieve those goals.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
I would increase teachers' salaries based on merit, professional development, and dedication, so that we can keep good teachers and attract other quality teachers. This would make teachers more accountable. I would implement programs that would increase parental and community involvement and responsibility in the education of our children.
Ryan Gabbard
Age: 24
Job: Baker and product marketer
Years here: 17What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Because of my youth and having three kids (two by adoption), I have special insight into the problems of youth and understanding the responsibilities parents face. I'm the only candidate who can bring an innovative and fresh outlook as a young person in today's world.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Ensuring the success of our kids' education will require accountability from everyone. Every administrator, teacher, parent, and student alike. If all the individuals involved in our children's education are not held accountable, there will be no success in any kind of "accountability plan."
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
We need to focus on health and physical education. Health is wealth, and with our young people it's seriously neglected. Heart disease and adult-onset diabetes are striking people at a younger age. Physical education can be made fun for everyone. We need preventive health education.
Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
Age: 54
Job: Social worker
Years here: 19What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
As a social worker I have the unique perspective of seeing school issues as a professional with my experience of working with the departments of Health and Education as a case manager for students in the Felix vs. Cayetano consent decree. My children attended Mauka Lani and Radford public schools.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Focus on the belief that, what is good for the students is good for the teachers in: a) Funding healthy, safe, well equipped and maintained classrooms; b) Funding teacher's pay that attracts and retains highly qualified, caring teachers; c) A streamlined administration that puts students first.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Again, "What is good for students is good for teachers." A textbook for each student and modernizing our classrooms so they are healthy and safe. A good test: compare classrooms with the Capitol. Start with turning off the air conditioners in the Capitol or adding them to the classrooms.
Jacqueline Whitford Heupel
Age: 66
Job: Retired educator
Years here: 66What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
a) Thirty-seven years of experience as an educator: as a teacher, beginning teacher supervisor, counselor, vice-principal, elementary and high school principal, Windward District Deputy Superintendent, State Office of Planning and Evaluation Specialist. Offering strong, visionary, effective leadership at each of these levels. b) Expertise in restructuring schools as a strategic planner.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Accountability can only be measured through strategic planning. Assess what is working and not working, eliminate what does not work and develop your action plan on what you need to improve. Have a timeline for improvement, determine resources needed, determine your standards for evaluation of outcomes, re-evaluate and adjust your plan for renewal.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
The DOE must have a master plan which reflects strategic planning processes. With a plan, as I've outlined above and which has worked successfully for my schools, it is cost-effective, and you can readily see what programs and/or construction are needed. It is true that at the state board level some budgetary items are mandated, i.e. the Felix decree compliance law ...
Donna R. Ikeda
Age: 60
Job: Legislative and business consultant
Years here: 60What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I bring a wealth of experience from my years at the Legislature. More importantly, I bring the courage and commitment to do the homework and, if necessary, make the tough decisions. I think that I can make great strides in bringing fiscal and performance accountability to the board and Department of Education.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
My experience has shown me that both fiscal and performance accountability are required for the health and success of the system. By using our resources responsibly, we can do more for our children. Performance accountability means more than just tests for students, teachers, and principals. It means ensuring that all members of the community of education ... are all working together.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
School level budgeting has always been my greatest priority. As a legislator, I wanted to make sure that our classrooms were properly equipped. It wasn't easy, but books, supplies and technology, were always my highest priority.
Velma P. Aloha Kekipi
Age: 57
Job: Customer Service associate with Tesoro Hawaii
Years here: 57What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I bring to this position the best of three worlds. I am hapa, half Hawaiian on my father's side, and sensei (3rd generation Japanese) on my mother's side. I was born one of the first of the war babies of WWII and was the tail end of the English standard system of the Territory of Hawaii. My class of 1960 was the first to graduate out of the state of Hawaii.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
If students are being held responsible for the grades they earn, I feel the teaching staff should be accountable for the teaching methods implemented that produced those grades, and the administration be accountable for the monies spent on these implementations and results. Any plan would require open communication lines both laterally, from bottom to top and top to bottom.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
1) Safety items should receive first priority. Make the school structure safe to use, repair what needs to be repaired, as well as school equipment, repair or replace antiquated equipment. Safety education so that the students are aware of dangers and hazards. 2) Implementing the Hawaiian studies program as mandated in the 1980s. ... 3) Provide for more "hands on" learning projects.
James I. Kuroiwa Jr.
Age: 58
Job: Business agent/Labor Union AFL-CIO Local 368
Years here: 58What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I will bring 30 years of private sector leadership in planning, project execution and completion. I will also bring experience through personal involvement with nonprofit organizations with direct interest in public education.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
The objective for student achievement determined by the teacher is submitted with the years' lesson plan. The current performance standards must be made available to each teacher and implemented. Oversight will be the schools' department heads and the administrators of the High School Complex.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
The priority will be a program providing parents and community leaders' authority to determine policy for their community complex schools. The establishment and implementation of the High School Complex school/community-based management have a minimum impact to the existing school budget with maximum parent input and decision-making.
Marcia Buck Linville
Age: No age given
Job: Retired librarian/ teacher
Years here: 32What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Forty years work with children as librarian and teacher, 30 years work with Legislature in the area of education, 20 years steward of professional unit DOE-HGEA, educational delegate Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, China, 10-years Board of Directors of Hawaii Literacy Inc.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
School accountability plans must include 1) teachers-accountable for providing accurate information in a comprehensible form, 2) parents-accountable for providing support and preparation so that a child is ready to learn, 3) administration-accountable for safe facilities, adequate materials, and professional support services, 4) Legislature-accountable for providing adequate funds.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Establishment and implement of standards, literacy, compliance with Felix-Cayetano, repair and maintenance of facilities, provision of adequate materials, and gender equity in sports.
Libby Pulelehua Oshiyama
Age: 57
Job: International education consultant/planner for Ka Waihona O Ka Na'auao charter School for Waianae
Years here: 25What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Education experience since 1965, and a community activist for public school reform for 17 years. My specialty has been with poor, alienated, and at-risk students. Hawaii employment: teacher, curriculum specialist in bilingual/multicultural education, alternative education and vocational education, consultant for 15 years, assistant professor of education, and substance abuse program director.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Accountability to the educational success of all students is everyone's responsibility. Standards for self-evaluation of parents, students, community, professionals, and staff must be articulated. The state performance standards must include many formats, other than paper and pencil tests. Professional development is at the core of improvement.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Priorities in spending are for teacher professional development; continued restructuring of large schools into smaller, more personalized programs; implementation of performance standards, curriculum/resources that provide for the diverse needs of all learners including special education, and physical comfort/safety of students and teachers.
Shirley A. Robinson
Age: 49
Job: Community leader/ homemaker/ mother
Years here: 20What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I bring with me a deep sense of responsibility for the Children of Hawaii. I am an advocate of women's and children issues. I serve on the Commission on the Status of Women, am a neighborhood board member, mother of two children who attend both public and private school, volunteer in public schools to help children with reading problems.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Hawaii school systems need a plan of action to organize a coalition of key citizens, public officials, parents with children actually in public and private schools, educators and public and private business enterprise representatives. Out of this will come a governance body to oversee successful completion of this plan. Hold a forum for this group to create an action plan ...
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Top priority is decrease in classroom size. To give our children every opportunity available to be able to compete for future jobs successfully.
Garrett Toguchi*
Age: 39
Job: Executive director of the Arc in Hawaii
Years here: 39What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
First, my experience as the executive director of the Arc in Hawaii and as a sibling of a person with mental retardation provides me with a good perspective of the challenges that both schools and families of children receiving special education services face. Second, ... five years working for the lieutenant governor (Cayetano) and two sessions with the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Three things: 1) Schools should be given the proper tools to succeed. 2) Clear expectations of what a good performing school should look like needs to be provided to all levels of the school (from principal to student ... ); and 3) Supervisors need to constantly (not just annually) keep in touch with schools to provide direction and support, to identify areas that need improvement ...
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Any program or construction project that is identified as a matter of health and safety would be top priority. Also receiving top priority are those projects identified by court mandate, such as funding for the Felix vs. Cayetano consent decree and the OHA vs. BOE settlement agreement to provide additional funds for the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program.
Jasmine Williams
Age: 43
Job: Project coordinator
Years here: 43What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I work daily with parents who are concerned about the education their child(ren) receives in the public schools and assist them with obtaining education services for their child(ren). I have advocated on behalf of my own children and other families for 14 years.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Performance standards for administration and faculty. Annual evaluations of the performance standards. Parent/community relations (customer service and satisfaction). Budget/spending practices. Mandatory professional development. Rewards and corrective consequences.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
Obtain proven curricula that will promote interest in learning and academic success for all children in and out of the classroom. Provide the tools and supports necessary for classroom teachers to implement curricula sufficiently. Construct classrooms where learning can take place; i.e., more classrooms to prevent overcrowding, air conditioning, proper lighting and equipment ...
Mike Wong
Age: 27
Job: Teacher/law student/Americorps volunteer for judiciary's Hookele Court Navigation Project
Years here: 27What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have a degree in education and have taught in our public schools. In my first year in law school I volunteered in Rep. Ken Ito's office, the Education Committee chairman. Because of my experience teaching in our public schools and volunteering at the Legislature I understand of two important facets of our educational system.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Any academic accountability plan needs input from the community, parents, teachers and administration. The focus of accountability cannot be solely on results. Education is a process and any determination of progress of a student needs to be looked at in the context of the student's educational experience. ...
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
When elected I would make it a priority to get our older schools' facilities up to date, and move students out of portable classrooms and into regular classrooms. The electrical systems of our older schools were not designed to meet the electrical needs of a modern school. Children who are taught in portable classrooms must deal with excessive heat ...
Brandon K. Yamamoto
Age: 29
Job: Legislative aide to Councilman John Henry Felix
Years here: 21What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have worked as a legislative aide for the City Council for the past three years. I have experience in addressing the concerns and issues of a great variety of people from all walks of life. In addition, several members of my family are teachers and I am constantly exposed to educational issues.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
Once the definition of "accountability" is established through a uniform set of standards and expectations that outline desired conduct, scores, and penalties for noncompliance, I believe three-year reviews should be given to the entire faculty to ensure the educational needs of students are being met. An evaluation team ... should provide extensive evaluation of schools every five years.
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
I would focus on providing incentives to acquire and retain adequate numbers of competent instructors on all levels to handle their challenging positions. Retaining motivated and dedicated teachers and administrators is the key to the success of any organization.
Randall M. L. Yee
Age: 41
Job: Attorney
Years here: 41What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
If elected to the Board of Education, I will bring a fresh viewpoint with no background or allegiance to any one group. My intent is to strive towards achieving academic excellence in our public education system.
What should be included in an accountability plan for the schools?
While I am in favor of some form of accountability, it is important to first determine that the existing structure and environment is conducive to such a plan so that the measures of accountability have a direct correlation to our goals. I believe standards would include incentives and rewards based upon clearly defined criteria that would include compensation, priority for advancements ...
What program or construction would you give priority to in the school budget?
There are many competing issues that need to be addressed; however, my focus would be to improve and encourage the further expansion of the use of charter schools in Hawaii. I believe it is essential to introduce more diverse learning environments without sacrificing the quality of education.
