Larry Fillhart

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 59

Job: Self-employed.

Born in Detroit, Mich. In Hawaii since 1974, arrived from San Diego, Ca.,

Lives: Kapa'a

Contact: 808-651-9111, aloja@juno.com

Job history past 10 years:
Construction, Special Building Inspector, Teacher at Chiefess Kamakaehele, Lihue, Hi. fall 2004.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
no.

Other civic experience or community service:
Advisory Board Member, Friendship House, Kapaa, Kauai.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I have lived over 20 of the last 34 years in Hawaii. I built my first home in Kilauea in 1980. My wife is a teacher and my step daughter goes to Kauai High School. I surf, kayak, mountain bike.

1) Why are you running for office?
It seems our educational system has failed to bring our students into the 21st century. Furthermore, we seem to have failed the adults who attended school in the last quarter of the 20th. I believe a change must begin now so the needs of the future are instilled in our children and populous. There is no reason that 28% of our students can't pass national standards in math and 44 % can't pass reading.

2) How should the DOE deal with budget cuts? Where should reductions occur?
I believe, as in all business and life, there are those who try and help any situation, those who do the work assigned because it's there job, and those who just sit around and get paid. I hope to find the waste in the system and eradicate it. I also believe that the electorate would be willing to expend more finances if they have proof of success. We only see failure. It's not all broken, but..

3) How should the DOE modify its school funding formula to more fairly distribute money to schools?
I believe that the teachers and the parents have a better grip on what's needed than many in the administration who give the DOE many of there stats. Each section of Hawaii, I've lived on 6 islands, has unique needs and qualifications thus warranting different funding. The DOE, if not already, should be obtaining input from individual districts parents and teachers. The people must be involved.

4) How should a teacher drug-testing program be administered and funded?
Random drug testing was agreed upon, in contract, by the teachers to obtain more financing. In my eyes, it's a contractual agreement that must be met. Drug testing could be administered by the school nurse. Said person should be paid to take a certified course. If the rehabilitation facilities can do it, the schools should be able. Teachers should not be fired for a negative reading, but counseled.

5) How many children do you have, and did they attend public or private school?
I have a 35 year old daughter who lives in Redondo Beach, Ca. whom lived here for 3 years. She attended public schools and colleges and is in Marketing for Google. I have a 19 year old step-daughter who graduated Kauai High School and is now going to KCC. I also have a 16 year old step-daughter who is attending Kauai High School and obtaining near straight A's. My wife is a 20 year educator.

6) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
There is no reason, whatsoever, that our school system cannot pass the requirements for AYP put out by the Federal Government. Two things are at work here. First, the teachers are not totally aware of the standards needed to be able to accomplish set goals. Having them actually take the tests would help. Moreover, some students won't or can't behave. A continuation school with trades accented is a possible solution.