Each week Editorial and Opinion Editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding hosts The Hot Seat, our opinion-page blog that brings in elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was Karen Knudsen, vice chairwoman of the Board of Education.

Here is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, go to The Hot Seat blog at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/opinion and click on "The Hot Seat." (Names of questioners are screen names given during our online chat.)

Deb K.: I've been watching and reading about the budget cuts. Does the BOE have guidelines in determining these cuts? Because the board is elected, doesn't that make these important cuts more of a political decision, with members looking out for their elected interests?

Karen Knudsen: Going through a budget-cutting exercise is one of the toughest jobs the Board of Education has to do. Our directive to the superintendent was to identify possible areas to cut that least affect the classroom — knowing full well that any and all cuts could potentially affect the classroom even if indirectly. Once the cuts were presented to the board we made adjustments to the recommendations. While the board is an elected body, we are a statewide board and take a statewide view of how the budget cuts affect all schools. We have board members who represent Neighbor Islands and rural areas of the state, so I don't think politics come into play. We do respond to public input, however, and listen carefully to our communities.

Dinah: I keep hearing different figures in terms of the budget and what money is actually allocated to classrooms. Please tell us what part of the $2.4 billion budget is actually not set aside for salaries and benefits?

Knudsen: This question is often asked of the Board and the Department. More detailed information about the Department's budget can be found on our Web site. However, it is true that much of the DOE's budget is allocated for salaries. This includes teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, etc. The amount of flexible money is limited when all of the basic requirements are considered. When you consider that teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers are educating and supporting our students, it's money well-spent.

Steve: Given the latest Council on Revenues estimates, do you anticipate the BOE needs to revisit its budget cuts and trim even more, getting closer to the governor's targets?

Knudsen: Unfortunately, the board and all the other state departments will probably need to prepare for this possibility. The Department of Education is already taking action to remind schools about energy conservation, making sure that every expenditure is absolutely necessary, etc. This is a very difficult time for all of us. In addition to the budgetary impact on the department and the schools, every time there's a serious crisis our schools need to be prepared to provide support to individual students whose families are affected by job loss, foreclosures, etc.

Robert in Makiki: Is there a presidential candidate who would be better for education? I'm not asking so much about your personal vote, but which candidate has the policy that is best for our education system.

Knudsen: Obviously both candidates are very concerned about educating the youth of America. Because of my concern about the current No Child Left Behind law, I hope that both would take a serious look at "fixing" it regardless of what they've been saying on the campaign trail. I like the focus on affordable higher education that Sen. Obama has stated in his speeches. This is a tough question to answer without indicating who I support. Bottom line is that I think both candidates have the best interests of our students at heart, but I personally am not supportive of a position that would promote vouchers and NCLB as it's currently written.

June: Are local school boards a good thing? It seems to make sense for the Neighbor Islands. What are the pluses and minuses?

Knudsen: The issue of local school boards has been around for a long time. Actually many Mainland states are looking at Hawai'i as a model for streamlining. There are approximately 15,000 school boards across the country — and the accomplishments of the schools vary greatly. It's not a quick fix formula. The board currently visits all of the Neighbor Islands twice a year and has community meetings throughout the state to receive input. This is a conversation we might have later when we can devote more time to the pros and cons.

Kyle: Is there an equation or formula for successful schools? Why is it Hawai'i seems to be struggling in this area, even in communities that are wealthy or have good parental involvement?

Knudsen: The general formula for successful schools includes a principal with strong leadership skills and highly qualified teachers and engaged parents. Actually, Hawai'i has many highly successful schools that are celebrated nationally (Blue Ribbon Schools, etc.). I'm always defensive when people cast all of our schools in the same light. We have many programs and schools that are making great strides in providing a sound education for their students. I always look at the scholarships our high school students receive, etc. While we have many challenges, we have a lot to be proud of.

Lisa: The Federal Government's "No Child Left Behind" is an unfunded mandate. Do you support its continuation?

Knudsen: The intention behind NCLB is honorable; however, without proper funding it's impossible to fully carry out. In addition, so many aspects of the law as it's currently written are punitive in nature. I think the law needs a major overhaul with a focus on ensuring student success rather than severely punishing schools for obstacles outside their control. There is a lot that needs to be fixed — while keeping the objective that every child deserves the best education possible.

Reach Jeanne Mariani-Belding at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com.