[ BOARD OF EDUCATION ]
5
Leeward Oahu
Breene Y. Harimoto
Age: 48 Job: City deputy information technology director Past: Appointed Board of Education memberWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
As a firm believer in public education, parent of public school students and longtime volunteer in our schools and community, I am familiar with issues teachers, administrators and staff are faced with. My management background and consulting experience bring a much-needed business/private-enterprise perspective to the board.
Do you support or oppose taxpayer-supported vouchers so students at underperforming public schools can attend private schools? Explain.
Oppose. Vouchers will siphon money away from our public school system, which is already severely underfunded. Hawaii is last in the nation in terms of percentage of state and local revenues allocated to public education. We must increase funding. ...
Do you support or oppose the state-funded charter school system that gives these schools more autonomy?
I am committed to supporting charter schools. Our biggest challenge is to develop policies that balance the autonomy of charter schools with our responsibility to provide prudent oversight by monitoring their compliance. ...
Karen Gold James
Age: 36 Job: Managing member of GeminiTech LLC Past: Teaching certificates; SCBM committeesWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
My background in education allows me to make informed decisions based on an understanding of educational principles and practices. My background in business allows me to make decisions tempered by practical, reasonable business and accounting principles. Most importantly, I have three children. I want them to get the best education.
Do you support or oppose taxpayer-supported vouchers so students at underperforming public schools can attend private schools? Explain.
I oppose school vouchers as they diminish aspects of public education and do not fix the problems that exist. The objective in school reform is to increase student achievement. ...
Do you support or oppose the state-funded charter school system that gives these schools more autonomy?
I support state-funded charter schools that are accountable to their educational mission and operated in a professional manner. Most charter schools provide an enthusiastic and dynamic educational opportunity ... Charter schools must be carefully monitored ...
