Director for charter
schools is selectedDewey Kim will head an agency
to oversee 26 schools statewide
The state Board of Education has appointed Dewey Kim, a former deputy state attorney general, for the new job of executive director for the state's 26 charter schools.
"What we're really looking for is bringing all the charter schools together," Kim said last night after the board announced its decision. "If we can find things that excite the kids, I think we can improve the system."
The state Legislature created the position last year to head an agency to oversee charter schools, which are designed to provide alternatives to conventional public schools.
A screening committee of charter schools unanimously recommended Kim from among 23 applicants, but his appointment was delayed for months because members of the Board of Education had expected to be forwarded more than one nominee's name.
Donna Estomago, president of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network, expressed delight with the appointment.
"Now we have someone of tremendous competence and high ethics who understands the infrastructure in the state," she said.
Kim served as legal adviser to the Board of Education during his 17 years with the Department of the Attorney General. He later headed the state Medicaid Investigation Division. He is now in private law practice.
Board Chairman Breene Harimoto said last night that the board would meet with Kim soon to set a start date and other details of the job.