School board gives LeMahieu high marks

By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer

The Board of Education tonight handed schools chief Paul LeMahieu a "more than satisfactory" evaluation after three years on the job.

"I think we're making headway," said board chairman Herb Watanabe after the closed-doors session.

Watanabe cited improvements in academic reforms and leadership development. LeMahieu's work at the Legislature also has been "commendable," he said.

This session the Department of Education received a number of new staff positions, including special education teachers, art teachers and business managers to help at the school complex level.

First vice chairman Winston Sakurai particularly noted progress in the Felix consent decree, which mandates the department to improve special education services. In the last 18 months, the system has moved from no school complexes in compliance to 60 percent, he said.

LeMahieu answered board members' questions for more than an hour tonight. He emerged from the meeting in a positive mood.

"It was a good discussion in that it was a deep discussion," he said.

By any account it has been a tough year for education and the superintendent. LeMahieu has had to deal with the continuing pressure of ramping up special-education services and the stress of the longest teachers' strike in state history. The strike derailed administration of LeMahieu's new Hawai'i-based test that will underpin efforts to improve the system, meaning it will be another year before the system can begin to measure improvement. The system should begin to show real signs of change in the next year, he said.

LeMahieu's relationship with the board has been rocky at times. Board members have accused him of poor communication and have tried to rein in his authority.

But tensions between the superintendent and the board may have eased after last year's elections when nearly half the board members changed. This is LeMahieu's first evaluation by the newly elected board, which no longer includes some of his detractors.

Watanabe said the communication problems have eased. "He has been more responsive this year and we appreciate it very much," he said.

Board member Marilyn Harris said she gives LeMahieu credit given that he is dealing with a system of 30,000 employees. Implementing change in such a large organization is "like moving an elephant with a teaspoon," she said. "But he's gotten the elephant's attention."

The board evaluates the superintendent on seven criteria including his administrative organization, the development of an accountability system, the creation of a safe and healthy learning environment and communication with the board.

The board then arrives at a grade ranging from unsatisfactory, satisfactory, more than satisfactory to excellent. LeMahieu has received a "more than satisfactory" grade in all his previous evaluations.

LeMahieu's contract expires next year, and he already has asked for an extension. The board will take up that issue at a later date along with the question of a raise. The Legislature has authorized increasing the superintendent's salary to $150,000. If LeMahieu received the full amount, it would be a 66 percent increase over his current $90,041.