Posted on: Thursday, September 16, 2004

School facilities mostly pass test

By Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writers

Aliamanu Elementary School and Kalihi-Waena Elementary School were the only Hawai'i public schools to receive overall unacceptable ratings for their facilities during inspections last school year, the state Department of Education reported yesterday.

The inspections, conducted by volunteers, examined school grounds, buildings and equipment for safety and sanitation. The ratings have long been considered subjective by the DOE, but do provide an annual look at school conditions.

A little more half of the 255 schools inspected last school year received the best rating — more than the year before — while 49 percent were rated acceptable. The DOE visited and helped develop action plans at the 20 schools that got unacceptable ratings in at least one category.

Rae Loui, assistant superintendent for the DOE's Office of Business Services, told the state Board of Education yesterday the department would add an inspection category this school year for restrooms, a lingering source of complaints.

Troy Hashimoto, a senior at King Kekaulike High School on Maui and the student member of the school board, said the inspection process last school year took about 90 minutes. "I don't think this rating gives you the whole perspective," he said.

The DOE, meanwhile, will begin renovating pairs of restrooms, possibly next week, at four pilot sites: Kaimuki High School, Aliamanu Middle School, Kailua Intermediate School and Waiau Elementary School. The work should be done by mid-October, said program director Geri Ichimura.

Besides extensive cleaning, it could include replacing sinks and dispensers, putting locks on stall doors and raising the stalls for privacy.

At Aliamanu Middle School, Principal Patricia Park said she was impressed by the DOE's work on the stainless-steel urinals. "I thought they installed a new one," she said.

The DOE is looking for chemicals to perform a similar miracle on the tile floors, marred by grime and red dirt tracked in from outside. Once they are clean, the DOE will put a sealant on the floors to make them easier to clean in the future.

Principals Park and Dennis Manalili at Kaimuki are trying to convince students to respect the restrooms, keeping graffiti off the walls and paper off the floors.

Manalili plans to have parents, students and teachers help with the project, including discussion of how to instill a sense of pride in the school.

"It goes beyond just coming in and doing the physical, aesthetic kind of work that needs to be done," Manalili said. "There needs to be some kind of involvement and commitment from everyone in order for it to be maintained."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.