[ BOARD OF EDUCATION ]
At-large seats
Lei Ahu Isa
NonpartisanAge: 60 Job: Professor of management at Hawaii Pacific University Past: Administrative experience, teaching
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have taught for 25 years and have experience as a school fiscal/budget officer. I also have a master and doctoral degrees in education. I was also a state representative for six years and familiar with education issues.
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Much smaller class size and better equipment and textbooks. Teachers need help!
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
The student weighted formula is the first step, but smaller class size and better textbooks. Definitely help teachers as well as the student.
Robert "Bob" Barry
NonpartisanAge: 64 Job: Soccer coach Past: Teacher in classroom, 35 years
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
My background in education (35 years). I taught high school French in Hawaii (35 years).
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Focusing on what happens in the classroom and less on administration. I would hope to be able to provide a safe atmosphere for learning and more adequate materials available.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Create safe learning environment. Provide classroom material needed. Parental involvement.
Darwin L.D. Ching
NonpartisanAge: 58 Job: Attorney Past: Board of directors for Palama Settlement and Family Services Center
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Former teacher, parent and grandparent
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Making positive changes so that the focus is on the student rather than the bureaucracy.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Advocate and support full funding by the federal government and Legislature. Take new positive approaches to education.
Albert H. Furuto
NonpartisanAge: None given Job: Actor, stuntman, stage and motion picture technician Past: B.A., psychology, UH-Manoa
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Intelligence, creativeness and a sincere desire to help the people of Hawaii.
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
The need for more teachers per student. Educate the politicians that good education is fundamental for a great society. More efficient spending and perhaps tax incentives for public school teachers.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Make sure all required reports are timely and complete. Schools that are not achieving the AYP (adequate yearly progress) must have focused attention and effective trouble-shooting by the board.
Signe Godfrey
NonpartisanAge: 62 Job: Owner/president of Olsten Staffing Services, a professional employment company
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
My qualifications come from being a parent, who is a public school advocate, who is a businessperson of an employment company and sees what the lack of good education can do and as a former member of the School Advisory Council for eight years. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
The most pressing issue is the low scores that our students are showing. The quality of Hawaii's public school education is not acceptable and has not been acceptable for 30 years, when will fundamental changes be made. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Reallocate the budget so more teachers are hired to help meet compliance. Work at producing documentation and information about where the educational dollars are being spent or have been spent. ...
Cec Heftel
NonpartisanAge: 79 Job: Broadcast station owner and executive Past: Member, U.S. Congress from Hawaii, 10 years
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
A lifetime of concern for upgrading the education of our youth, including those who need special attention. I worked to develop funding and the facilities for children with learning disabilities (Crossroads of the Pacific). ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Our $2 billion for education must be directed to the classroom, e.g., to provide facilities, furnish up-to-date textbooks, provide computer access and instruction, hire qualified teachers. It must go to the classroom first. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Remedying what is wrong with our existing system. We have to detect those children who have learning disabilities at the entry level and provide them with alternate education. Promote students based on minimum standards. ...
Guy Kaulukukui
NonpartisanAge: 44 Job: Hawaiian leadership development consultant Past: Former chairman, education, Bishop Museum
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I am an educator and come from a family of educators. I was a social studies teacher at Kamehameha Schools, and over a dozen of my 'ohana have taught in Hawai'i schools for the past 50 years. I am a lifelong learner, and have Ph.D. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Our public schools serve 80 percent of school-aged children. Hawaii needs our schools to be as effective as possible to ensure a bright future for everyone. I support innovative ... initiatives that empower teachers and communities. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
The board can facilitate compliance with the act by encouraging the DOE to set reasonable annual goals that will ensure student proficiency in core subjects by 2014, and by holding the superintendent responsible for attaining the goals.
Maralyn Anne Kurshals
NonpartisanAge: 56 Job: Good Beginnings Partnership for Hawaii's Keiki Past: Distributed $4 million in grants statewide
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I bring 30 years of expertise in education, the nonprofit sector, community building and grant management issues. I am the chair of the Education Committee, Waianae Neighborhood Board and Waianae Coast for Better Education. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
The critical lack of resources such as books, air conditioning and qualified teachers is in contrast with the $1 billion DOE budget. A comprehensive financial audit of the DOE, similar to the S.F. school district process, will result in fiscal accountability. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
We need to gain access to the untapped federal dollars that is available to public schools and use the Act to our advantage instead of reacting in "fear." Teachers must be supported. ...
Marcia L. Linville
NonpartisanAge: 68 Job: Librarian Past: DOE professional unit HGEA Agency Council. Legislative liaison, Democratic Party
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Three years resource teacher in DOE. 30 years as librarian, children's services in Department of Education and Alu Like. Education delegate to China, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic. Attendance at 20 years of Board of Education meetings, HAEYC member, Good Beginnings supporter, League of Women Voters Education Committee.
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Inadequate funding. Meet with legislators. Involve community. Ensure funding is spent efficiently and appropriately.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Determine access to funding. Involve community. Empower teachers. Provide professional improvement opportunities. Clarify standards and procedures. Identify special needs and resources.
Nobleza E. Magsanoc
NonpartisanAge: None given Job: Operations manager, Pacific Resource Partnership Past: Lecturer, Leeward Community College
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
... My more than 15 years of professional experience in labor relations, business and economic development and community-based initiatives to improve the education, employment opportunities and quality of life ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
I feel that the most pressing issue is making sure that existing resources are getting to the schools and teachers and are used effectively to help Hawaii's children reach their highest potential and realize their dreams.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
We need to give ... full support to the school communities, principal and teachers. We need to give principals more autonomy to make key decisions ... they feel best meets the needs of their school, teachers and student population. ...
Robert R. "Bob" Midkiff
NonpartisanAge: 83 Job: President, Atherton Family Foundation Past: Businessman, many years of volunteer community service.
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
As one of the founders of the Good Beginnings Alliance, I have seen how quality early education can improve readiness for school and future student achievement. I served six years as president of GBA.
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Improving student achievement to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind. I hope, as a board member, to assist the schools superintendent in implementing the excellent provisions of Act 51.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Support the leadership of schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto in implementing the provisions of Act 51.
Pam Lee Smith
NonpartisanAge: 50 Job: Campaign/ Accounting consultant/ graphic designer Past: Business and Community Service
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I am dedicated to finding answers to the questions of how to best educate Hawaii's children. I have a background of researching and solving problems in business and in government. I am open-minded. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Academic underachievement. My approach would be twofold: Institute use of a weighted student formula to ensure ... students are getting their fair share available funding; use educational audits to determine successful techniques. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Educational audits should be performed to determine what successful schools do that failing schools do not. An educational audit would look at all aspects of the school, physical, administrative and teaching methods. ...
Alan I. Takumi
NonpartisanAge: 53 Job: Community association manager with Certified Management Inc. Past: Retired from the Air Force after 30-year career
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I spent over 15 years in management positions with the Air Force in logistics and over 4 years of experience as a community association manager. I've learned to work with a wide range of people, building teams. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Our students are being handicapped with poor facilities, outdated and inadequate equipment and textbooks, and undersupported teachers. We need to focus on the basics and communicate to the public. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Need to release teachers from the more mundane tasks to give them time to concentrate on working with the students. I'm sure there are a lot of routine tasks that they do that can be done by clerical staff.
Garrett Toguchi
NonpartisanAge: 43 Job: President, Toguchi & Associates (nonprofit consulting) Past: Government, private business
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Experience. Six years on BOE chairing the Special Programs Committee overseeing Felix, Hawaiian Language/Studies and the Gifted/Talented Program. Served as executive director of large nonprofit. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Meeting the needs of a diverse student population while: elected officials politicize education, state funding is inadequate and the federal government expects more without providing sufficient funds. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
BOE must ensure the DOE stays on track in implementing the State Consolidated Plan to meet requirements. ... Some strategies may necessitate the BOE to change policies or to seek additional funds from the Legislature.
Marcia Sakamoto Wong
NonpartisanAge: 66 Job: Retired Past: 30+ years teaching. Advocate for arts, education, human/civil rights.
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Having taught at every level of public education: elementary, secondary and university, my teaching experience spans 30-plus years including serving on the UH-Manoa affiliate graduate dance facility ... a BA in English Education ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
Educational reform/reinvention -- in order to teach the skills required by an ever-changing global and technological society -- is a pressing issue. I would support adequate funding for Hawaii's Reinventing Education Act. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
The board can work with the Legislature and DOE to provide adequate funding. It can support allocation of funds by student need vs. enrollment numbers. It can also approve hiring contract personnel for resource teams. ...
Shannon Wood
NonpartisanAge: None given Job: Editor and co-publisher, The Ko'olau News, and co-owner, EKV MultiMedia Inc. Past: Educator
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
As part of my work, I attend more than 100 meetings, activities and events each month where I listen and learn a lot. I have strong community/project organizing and communications skills, understand how Hawai'i's unique socio-political-educational systems work. ...
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
There are two equally pressing issues ...: To make sure that Act 51 is ... implemented and defended from attacks by those who use ... "educational reform" to further their political goals ... and ... setting up a dedicated funding source. ...
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
As board members, the only realistic recourse we have is to keep the pressure on the Hawai'i congressional delegation to make sure that NCLB is fully funded and that the money gets down to the schools to spend. ...
Arvid Tadao Youngquist
NonpartisanAge: 56 Job: Federal civil service pensioner; clerk typist II Past: Liliha Neighborhood Board
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Your vote of confidence and state of Hawaii Constitution's statutory qualifications.
What is the most pressing issue facing Hawaii schools, and what would you do about it?
School repair -- prepared to testify at Legislature for funding.
What can the board do to help schools comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
Recommended that DOE opt out of No Child Left Behind Act testing. Devote $30 million state funds to provide safety, school repair, renovations and ventilation (a.c.).
No response
» Ron Pohnel, Nonpartisan (at large)
starbulletin.com/2004/09/10/special/index.html
www.state.hi.us/elections/
