Board of Education backs
plan to shrink school groups

The superintendent says the new system
will allow for easier managerial oversight

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Associated Press

The Board of Education has approved schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto's proposal to do away with the Department of Education's current district administrative units.

They are being replaced with smaller units comprising two or three complexes, each headed by a complex area superintendent. A complex is composed of a high school and the intermediate/middle and elementary schools that feed into it.

"Organizing by smaller complex groupings will allow each administrator to better focus on supporting the needs of their schools while providing more meaningful supervision and accountability expectations of the principals and schools," Hamamoto said.

"Complexes represent a more manageable scope of responsibility, situate resources and decision-making closer to the schools, and improve student support as a continuum from kindergarten to graduation," she said.

The board voted Thursday night to approve Hamamoto's selection of complex-area superintendents for Oahu, which changes from four districts to nine complex areas, and Kauai, which remains a single district.

Restructuring of the Maui and Big Island districts will be considered later.

By converting existing district superintendent and deputy district superintendent positions, the total number of administrative positions will remain the same, the DOE said.