[ BOARD OF EDUCATION ]
At-large seats
Shannon K. Ajifu
Age: 66 Job: Retired educator Past: Member, Board of Education; Teachers' Standards Board
What qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
My education background plus the 38 years as a teacher, counselor, school administrator, district level administrator, and Board of Education member.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Working with all schools to meet the Hawaii Standards is the greatest problem. It requires focused attention on schoolwide plans that include sustained monitoring of instruction and student progress. It is critical that staff development is research-based and involves the entire staff if we are to impact student achievement.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
Improving the math and reading test scores for Hawaii students will require the same effort in addressing the problem of all students meeting the Hawaii Standards.
Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
Age: 56 Job: Social justice worker Past: President, Parents Family and Friends of Lesbian and GaysWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
My persistence, intelligence and logical thought process qualify me for the BOE. The present BOE has been lacking in these areas by the present Board of Education.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Mismanagement by the BOE and the DOE are the greatest problems facing our schools. I will work for legislation that would fine:
1. The DOE and the BOE for missed deadlines.
2. Sleeping during board meetings.
3. Not being prepared at board meetings
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
Provide math tutors from the administration and upper ranks of the DOE which would give the students benefit of the oversized agency. Translate the reading test to meet the cultural needs of the community and foster Pidgin as a second, optional language, not the primary language.
Malcolm Kirkpatrick
Age: 53 Job: Tutor Past: U.S. Navy; BOE candidate; community workday volunteerWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
I am not an incumbent. I did not: a) vote for the Baker and Taylor contract, b) vote to rehire Bart Kane, c) give to Paul LeMahieu a favorable job evaluation scant weeks before his resignation, d) lie about nonexistent "cuts" to the DOE budget d) lie about bogus "standards".
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Aggregation of resources and centralization of power produce systemic failure. The DOE cannot be fixed. Voters must elect legislators and board members who support parent control. ...
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
The board can: a) review published research and circulate information about effective practices, b) lobby the Legislature for institutional changes (e.g., enact school-level collective bargaining, abolish the Teacher Standards Board), c) monitor DOE resource allocations and support those programs which demonstrate success, d) support home schoolers and charter schools.
Karen Knudsen
Age: 52 Job: Director, Office of External Affairs, East-West Center Past: Member, Board of EducationWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
The experience and knowledge acquired as a current member of the board are valuable in decision-making, policy setting and working with numerous individuals within the system, the Legislature, the governor and the community. My educational and professional background and two children graduating from the public school system also contribute.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Funding issues, teacher shortages, lack of technology, political disagreements, etc. contribute to one of our greatest problems -- poor academic performance by many of our students. My priority is to continue focusing on improving literacy skills at all grade levels while addressing the fundamental issues that plague our ability to excel.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
By ensuring that the Department is in compliance with Board policies that focus on academic achievement. In addition, the Board must continue to work toward attaining qualified teachers for each classroom, adequate supplies, and a safe and nurturing learning environment.
Marcia Linville
Age: 66 Job: Retired librarian/teacher Past: CEO Information Services; M.A. and Information ServicesWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
Qualifications as listed above and almost 20 years as (agency council head) for Unit 13 Professionals, Department of Education and a lot of time spent working with the legislature for over 30 years.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
A low budget resulting in crowded classrooms, poorly maintained facilities and low teacher pay, administered through an inflexible system which cannot always utilize funding for the best results.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
Recognition of the problems created by the present system, and utilizing the participation of teachers, parents, administration and students to solve them.
Phil Robertson
Age: 54 Job: Tax consultant Past: BBA, University of Hawaii-Manoa; ex-vice chairman of neighborhood boardWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
I am educated, involved, intelligent, and I have common sense.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
The greatest problem facing Hawaii's schools is that the DOE has a virtual monopoly and I intend to favor school vouchers so parents can choose.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
Requiring homework of the students.
Keith A. Sakata
Age: 51 Job: City industrial construction inspector Past: Member, Board of EducationWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
With three children in the Hawaii public school system and four who have already graduated, I am keenly aware of the concerns expressed by parents or guardians with school-age children. Moreover, having graduated from a Hawaii public school with all its different culturally sensitive students, I can still relate to the problems and challenges that our children encounter in our schools.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Providing sufficient support and funding for our schools while holding the schools accountable for student achievement and progress. Classroom size should be fixed at 1:20; recruitment and retention of school personnel, ... all of this requires adequate funding. ...
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
By holding not only the schools accountable, but also the parents for their child's success in school. The board must continue to support the front-line teachers not only in their classroom but also in their professional development.
Marla Wade
Age: 49 Job: Licensed minister Past: Former Senate budget analyst; educational advocacyWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
I have served Hawaii's children and families for over 20 years. Having worked in various capacities with parents, students, teachers, counselors, case managers, school administrators, and legislators, I would bring this experience and commitment to the board.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Our leaders not prioritizing education, and lack of accountability statewide are the greatest problems facing our schools today. The BOE and the state must first assess the effectiveness of current policies and expenditures, and re-adjust appropriately. In addition, our schools must be repaired and maintained ...
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
The board can improve math and reading scores by implementing phonics as the basis for teaching reading, and by returning to a traditional applied math curriculum. The board must stop experimenting with our children and use methods that have been proven to be successful.
Randall M. L. Yee
Age: 43 Job: Attorney Past: Ex-member, city Planning Commission; Makiki Neighborhood BoardWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
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 is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
There are many competing issues that need to be addressed; however, my focus would be to restructure the system to channel more money to students and teachers.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
The board can help by creating an environment supporting teachers, administrators and students that is conducive to learning to maximize the potential of our children.
Did not respond: Kenneth K. Segawa (at large)
