Lingle criticizes 'fake' school reform
Advertiser Staff
Gov. Linda Lingle and Democratic leaders traded harsh words over education reform yesterday, a fresh sign that they remain far apart on changes to the state's public schools.
The governor, responding to questions from reporters, called the Democrats' proposals "fake reform" and said there is statewide support for her request for a November ballot question on breaking up the state Department of Education into local school districts with elected school boards.
State House lawmakers voted against Lingle's proposals last month, and the governor has said she hopes the state Senate would consider her ideas. But her comments yesterday slammed majority Democrats who control the fate of reform this session.
"It's obvious that they're simply playing politics with the children of Hawai'i," Lingle said.
State Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), said the evidence up to this point is that Lingle's plans would not directly improve student achievement.
Bunda also said it would be irresponsible for the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot without thoroughly discussing the impact.
"I don't know who's playing politics in this," Bunda said. "The governor is not down here discussing with the Legislature about what's right for the children, so I question whether the administration is playing politics with this as well."
Democrats have proposed expanding the state Board of Education from 13 to 17 voting members to make it more geographically representative, a change that, like local school boards, requires a constitutional amendment. Democrats also have proposed retooling the School Community Based Management councils in place at most schools.
State Rep. Roy Takumi, D-36th (Pearl City, Palisades), the chairman of the House Education Committee, said yesterday that he believes significant improvements can be made to public schools without any constitutional amendments.
Both the Democrats and Lingle support a new student spending formula that would send money to schools based on student need instead of school enrollment, although they have yet to agree on key details.
Meanwhile, Breene Harimoto, the BOE's chairman, told the Advertiser's editorial board yesterday that politics are getting in the way of school reform.
Staff writers Derrick DePledge, Robbie Dingeman, Lynda Arakawa and Gordon Y.K. Pang contributed to this report. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
