STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
HUMAN RESOURCES MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, June 1, 2023

PRESENT:
Kaimana Barcarse, Chairperson
Shanty Asher, Vice Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Lynn Fallin
Kili Namauʻu
Bruce Voss
Lauren Moriarty, ex officio

EXCUSED:
Ken Kuraya

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Sean Bacon, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management, Department of Education
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Executive Secretary
Lady Garrett, Secretary


I. Call to Order

Committee Chairperson Kaimana Barcarse called the Human Resources Committee (“Committee”) Meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Committee Chairperson Barcarse, Committee Members Bill Arakaki, Lynn Fallin, Kili Namauʻu, and Bruce Voss, and Ex-officio Member Lauren Moriarty were present.


II. Recommendation for Action

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called for public testimony.

Ronnie Victor, DOE Kawananakoa Middle, testified in support of the compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents (“CAS”), shared her understanding of CAS duties and responsibilities, the level of expertise required to do the job, and that the compensation adjustments would ensure equitable compensation so that principals do not have higher salaries than the CAS who oversee their position.

Committee Vice Chairperson Shanty Asher entered the meeting at 11:03 a.m.

Susan Pcola-Davis, PTSA, testified in support of the methodology, noted that salary range adjustments might be necessary because there are two current CAS that are approaching the top of the salary range, and shared that if past performance were included in the adjustment methodology, it would be helpful to understand how performance review ratings are determined.

Baba Yim, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘O Anuenue, testified in support of the compensation adjustments for CAS, highlighted the roles of principals and CAS, and how the complex area level supports help Hawaiian medium schools by looking for ways to expand into other districts.

Julie Reyes Oda, member of the public, testified in support of fair compensation for employees and expressed support for the CAS compensation adjustments, if they constitute a fair wage. She shared that it would be helpful to see the salary adjustments in relation to the current pay of CAS, advocated for a similar dynamic methodology to determine teacher pay when the Hawaii State Teachers Association collective bargaining agreement expires in three years, and asked the Board to ensure that all employees earn a living wage.

Cheri Nakamura, HE‘E Coalition, stood on her written testimony, expressed appreciation for the compensation adjustments, noted that student equity was not a factor considered in the methodology, and suggested including student equity to ensure that students are the focus.

Board members received written testimony before the meeting. (A listing of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting is included at the end of these minutes.)

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called on Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, and Sean Bacon, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management, to present the Department’s recommendations concerning compensation adjustments for CASs.

Hayashi requested approval to adjust the compensation for 13 CAS based on the proposed methodology. He stated that the current salary structure makes it difficult to attract CAS, because the position has a broader scope that a principal position and CAS compensation should reflect the position’s additional responsibilities. Hayashi stated that the Department analyzed many factors and solicited input from CAS. He outlined some of the factors the Department considered, including individual qualifications, characteristics of the complex area, official student enrollment count, percentage of students considered high needs (economically disadvantaged and special education), performance over the past year, collectively bargained salary increases for principals, and experience.

Hayashi shared that CAS identified four complex area characteristics that significantly affected their work, number of schools, distance between schools, overall enrollment, and percentage of high needs students. He outlined how these characteristics affected CAS responsibilities and how this impact was reflected in the methodology. Hayashi reported that total cost of the proposed is $250,000 and Brian Hallett, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Fiscal Services, determined that there is enough funding allocated to EDN 200 (the budget category for instructional support, which includes complex area administration) to accommodate these increases.

Committee Member Voss moved to approve the recommended salary adjustments for the CAS as stated in Attachment A of Hayashi’s memorandum dated June 1, 2023, retroactively effective as of July 1, 2022, or the appointment date of the CAS, whichever is most recent. Committee Member Arakaki seconded.

Committee Member Voss referenced some of the testimony, which emphasized that CAS are important to student outcomes and should feel respected. He asked how the Department sought input from the CAS and how the Department included this input in the recommendation. Hayashi replied that the Department took into account the Board’s previous suggestions and discussed these suggestions with CAS to determine what would be fair.

Committee Member Voss asked how the Department is planning to retain CAS after this one-time salary adjustment. Hayashi replied that CAS would receive the designated percentage increases and any future evaluation would take into account student academic success.

Committee Member Arakaki expressed appreciation for testimonies in support of the CAS compensation adjustments. He shared that he did his own calculations regarding the four complex area characteristics and asked how the Department would ensure that it can retain CAS in rural areas. Committee Member Arakaki asked how funding would continue for the compensation adjustments. Hayashi replied that there is a sufficient amount in EDN 200 (the budget category for instructional support, which includes complex area administration) and that the Department would continue to monitor retention issues.

Committee Member Fallin stated that the Board has been working on this for over a year and stated that the methodology was good. She suggested that the Department provide more clarification on the roles and responsibilities of the CAS.

Committee Member Fallin expressed concern for geographic areas in the state that have struggled historically and asked the Department to consider looking at the students considered high needs (economically disadvantaged and special education) category and how figure out how to make adjustments. She expressed support for focusing on years of experience as a CAS because that is important.

Committee Member Namauʻu expressed support for the CAS compensation adjustments and emphasized the importance of the weight allocated to each of the four complex area characteristics because they could attract future CAS and retain current CAS. She stated recommended that the Department allocate more weight to the number of students and review what schools are implementing to address the achievement gap. Committee Member Namauʻu highlighted Rebecca Winkie, CAS, Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area who needs to visit schools on different islands, which requires a tremendous amount of time and effort.

Committee Vice Chairperson Asher expressed appreciation for the testimony from Reyes Oda since there are still issues with compensation, but her support means a lot. She urged the Department to work with the unions to achieve fair compensation for all positions. Committee Vice Chairperson Asher also asked the Department to work with CAS from the neighbor islands; emphasized that geographic locations should not be a barrier; and suggested looking at salary increases based on student performance, chronic absenteeism rates, and innovation or community partnerships.

Committee Member Voss stated that CAS deserve an appropriate and fair compensation increase, but noted that other employees have not received compensation adjustments in a long time. He asked Hayashi to provide examples of what the Department is working on so that other employees can receive fair compensation.

Hayashi recognized the importance of all employees and the role each employee plays in student achievement. He shared that the Department continues to engage with stakeholders and partners to move efforts forward, expressed value for all employees, and that he would continue to advocate for fair compensation.

Bacon reiterated that the Department is looking at all levels of employees, career pathways for compensation to address gaps, and is working with unions to accommodate these employees.

Committee Member Voss acknowledged that some of the compensation adjustments would take time and require approval and emphasized the importance of recommendations before the next school year.

Board Member Moriarty, ex-officio, commended Hayashi for making the process transparent and she expressed hope that this would help the Board compensate fairly. Hayashi shared that the Department would take into consideration the many factors to support students.

Committee Chairperson Barcarse expressed appreciation for the process and noted that the Board has stated many times that CAS are critical and noted that it is equally important to highlight the massive amount of work CAS do and their commitment.

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Committee Vice Chairperson Asher and Committee Members Arakaki, Fallin, Namauʻu, and Voss).

ACTION: Motion to approve the recommended salary adjustments for the CASs as stated in Attachment A of Hayashi’s memorandum dated June 1, 2023, retroactively effective as of July 1, 2022, or the appointment date of the CAS, whichever is most recent (Voss/Arakaki). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


III. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Barcarse adjourned the meeting at 12:07 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting


NAME
Organization
Agenda Item
Susan Pcola-DavisII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Cheri Nakamura
HEʻE Coalition
II.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Veronica Victor
Kawananakoa Middle School, Principal
II.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Ted MuraII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Bebi Davis
Kawananakoa Middle School, Vice Principal
II.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Lisa VictorII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Leonard PadayhagII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Tanya HallII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas
Lehua BrownII.A. Committee Action on recommendation concerning compensation adjustments for Complex Area Superintendents of Aiea-Moanalua-Radford, Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihakoi-Maui, Campbell-Kapolei, Castle-Kahuku, Farrington-Kalani-Kaiser, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai, Hilo-Waiakea, Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena, Kailua-Kalaheo, Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua, Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Areas