By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer
Kamehameha Schools has narrowed to four the field of candidates for its new chief education officer position, yet none is from Hawai‘i and some have raised concerns about the decision-making process.
The chief education officer position was created in the court-ordered reorganization of the 117-year-old trust that resulted from the removal of its former trustees. Chief Executive Officer Hamilton McCubbin is expected to make the appointment by the end of this month.
The successful applicant will oversee Kamehameha Schools’ three campuses and education programs and this year’s expected education budget of more than $165 million. Michael Chun, who previously administered the schools’ educational programs, will serve as headmaster for the main campus on O‘ahu.
Since the upheaval at Kamehameha, which resulted in its reorganization, executives have emphasized the trust’s intention to include all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
But the Kamehameha Schools teachers union yesterday raised a cautionary flag about its level of involvement.
"It’s much more collaborative than it was at the onset, but we would like to see it become more so," said Larry McElheny, president of the Kamehameha Schools Faculty Association. "There are some residual concerns about the lack of faculty involvement in the process."
McElheny said the association wants to be sure the successful candidate has integrity, an understanding of the Hawaiian community and a commitment to the schools’ mission.
Kamehameha Schools spokes-man Kekoa Paulsen said the teachers’ union and other groups will have the chance to interview the final four candidates for chief education officer and express their opinion, "but in terms of who makes the final decision, that will be left to the CEO."
Paulsen said Kamehameha Schools is committed to opening up the decision-making process.
"There’s been a lot of progress made, but I think we still have a lot to learn and a way to go before we can say we’re being completely inclusive," Paulsen said.
Meanwhile, Roy Benham, president of the O‘ahu regional chapter of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, said he’s dismayed that there are no local candidates.
"I’m kind of disappointed they don’t feel there is anyone here in Hawai‘i or at least who is part-Hawaiian who is familiar with what the schools should be doing," Benham said. "One of these days we will realize we do have talented people in the state and don’t have to go beyond state borders to get the job done."
Paulsen said schools executives are sensitive to the issue, "but our priority was to find the person most qualified. I would hope that that person would be able to adapt to us and we would be able to adapt to them."
Five of the 15 semi-finalists were local applicants, Paulsen said, indicating "there are very talented people here." More than 300 candidates were initially recruited and screened for the position.
The final four:
 Dudley Hare, executive director of the Westchester Education Coalition, a nonprofit organization based in New York that fosters partnerships among schools, universities, businesses and local governments to implement education projects.
Lila Lohr, senior vice president in charge of Day Schools for Chancellor Academies, based in Florida.
David Magill, who has spent the past 30 years with the Pennsylvania public school system. Since 1991, he has been superintendent of schools for the Lower Merion district in Ardmore, Pa., which has an enrollment of 6,500 students.
Niall Nelson, who is in his 10th year as headmaster of Indonesia’s Jakarta International Schools.
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