Schools chief gets Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto received positive reviews from the state Board of Education during her annual evaluation at the board's meeting last night.
good marks in annual
evaluation by board
Hamamoto is praised for improving
morale and tackling problemsBy Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.comBoard members unanimously agreed that Hamamoto met or exceeded expectations in every category under a new evaluation system, said Chairman Herbert Watanabe.
"In other words, it's the highest we could grant," he said.
Board members used a system that indicated whether Hamamoto "meets or exceeds expectations" or "does not meet expectations" in six categories.
"The format was, either you did or you didn't," Watanabe explained.
"The work she's done for the kids, the students of the state, was all recognized by the board. She's done a marvelous job of improving morale, kept the department together, moving ahead with the complex-area superintendents," he said.
Hamamoto thanked the board for its support and also extended the commendations to complex-area superintendents, teachers, staff and parents.
"I believe in order to be successful, we all have to work together and we all need to believe in that vision that we had for Hawaii," she said.
State Librarian Virginia Lowell, who recently received a positive evaluation, was given support yesterday with a 5 percent raise, which brings her salary to more than $113,000.
Board members also approved a resolution backing Lowell's decision to postpone opening the Kapolei Library until the Legislature approves sufficient funding, and another that urged the Legislature to appropriate adequate funding.
Watanabe said the board could not give Hamamoto a raise because her salary is capped by the Legislature.
Hamamoto became interim superintendent last October, after the resignation of Paul LeMahieu.
In December she was given a four-year contract as permanent superintendent with a $150,000 salary.
The six standards Hamamoto met or exceeded were:
>> The superintendent is an educational leader of the schools.
>> The superintendent is the chief executive officer of the public school system.
>> The superintendent effectively oversees and manages the public school system.
>> The superintendent effectively oversees operational services.
>> The superintendent oversees an effective financial management system.
>> The superintendent effectively directs community relations.
State Board of Education
