[ OUR OPINION ]
Several stand out as
candidates for school board
THE ISSUEInterest in the Board of Education election has increased along with the concern for public education.
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Most of the individuals seeking office this year are well versed in the local and national issues surrounding education and many have extensive backgrounds in the field.
Although the board does not directly control the Department of Education's pursestrings, its assignments are important, more so now as the department moves ahead with applying the various elements of Act 51, the new education reform law passed by the state Legislature earlier this year.
In previous elections, board members were chosen largely because their names were familiar. We hope that this year voters will have studied the candidates' qualifications and views; the choices they make could have long-term influences on public education.
The Star-Bulletin endorses the following candidates:
AT LARGE
» Guy Kaulukukui will bring his classroom experience to the board, having taught social studies at Kamehameha Schools for five years. The former chairman of the Bishop Museum's education department holds a Ph.D. in economic education and is a deliberative man whose Hawaiian ancestry drives his desire to serve on the board.» Garrett Toguchi, a board incumbent, has been a strong advocate for disabled, at-risk and gifted students. With six years of board experience under his belt, the public school graduate maintains an enthusiasm for the work. He recognizes that a child's success in learning is closely tied to proper health care, family well-being and other social factors.
» Robert R. Midkiff's vigorous background in business, philanthropy and community service will lend a clear advantage to the board. He is president of the Atherton Family Foundation, which has supported leadership training for school principals, a key factor in Hawaii's plan for education reform. The nimble-minded Midkiff was the founding president of the Good Beginnings Alliance, a program that promotes important early childhood education.
HONOLULU
» Denise Matsumoto, a 16-year board veteran, has made literacy the focus of her service. A preschool teacher for two decades, the proud mother of a public school graduate has helped formulate student performance standards, a literacy policy and teacher evaluations for public education in Hawaii. She is described as a tireless champion for increasing funds to hire more teachers and to widen technical education.
LEEWARD
» Breene Harimoto, the current board chairman, is a consensus-builder, but does not back away from conflict when it arises. Elected in 2002, he has waded hip-deep into the effort to reform education and has studiously reviewed models for tying school funding to a student's needs. The Waipahu High alumnus has a stake in public education; two of his sons are graduates while the third still attends Pearl City High. He co-founded a Pearl City youth center and has served on community and neighborhood associations.
HAWAII
» Herbert S. Watanabe, a board member since 1996, wishes he was a billionaire so he could "give schools all the money they need." But he isn't, so the retired business specialist for the public schools acknowledges that principals must take control of financial matters to make the best use of scarce dollars. Watanabe has made it a point to visit every school on the Big Island to stay in touch with teachers and administrators, which he says helps him in making board decisions.
KAUAI
» Margaret Cox's 30 years as a public school principal, vice principal and teacher on Kauai provides her with a deep background for understanding the problems and successes in education. Cox believes one of the best aspects of Act 51 is the requirement that the board meet with the community twice a year and that these sessions should be extended to schools and staff as well. She is a dynamic retiree, full of ideas and optimism.Board of Education ballots sometimes confuse voters. In this year's election, voters will choose three at-large candidates from a field of six. Oahu voters do not cast votes in neighbor island races.
