Posted on: Thursday, November 27, 2003

School panel travels to Big Island, Maui

Associated Press

HILO, Hawai'i — Members of Gov. Linda Lingle's committee charged with studying school reform had few specific answers for Big Island residents who raised questions about the administration's proposal to break up the state's centralized school system.

"We are really here listening for ideas," Stan Kawaguchi, chairman of Lingle's Citizens Achieving Reform in Education committee, told about 100 people who attended a public meeting on Tuesday.

The committee was formed in September to examine ideas about education reform, including a proposal to establish locally elected school boards. Lawmakers this year defeated a bill that would have allowed voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow for such local boards.

Laura Thielen, a committee member who also serves on the state Board of Education, said the number of new boards being considered range from four, one for each of Hawai'i's counties, to 44, the number of school complexes in the state.

If the proposal is carried out, she said, the state's function would be restricted to distributing school financing "in a fair and equitable manner" and a board that would set statewide school standards.

Substitute teacher David Hudson, noting that a recent study showed the number of Department of Education's administrators has grown at a faster rate than the student population, asked members how many administrative positions would be eliminated in the plan.

"I don't see anybody being eliminated," Thielen said. "I see some positions being moved."

The forum on the Big Island came a day after members heard concerns from Maui residents at two separate hearings.

Among the critics was Ha'iku Elementary School teacher Linda Holt, who said local boards would only add to bureaucracy.

"Instead of fiddling with form and structure, put your energy and resources where it really matters — the classroom," Holt told board members.

Robin Brooks, a computer teacher at Princess Nahi'ena'ena Elementary School, questioned how a change in governance would make her any more effective with students and families.

"I really don't see how of any this is going to help me," she said.

Among the supporters of Lingle's proposal was Lahaina resident Peggy Robertson.

"I'm really hoping people will realize that we will have less frustration and more accountability," she said.