Committee Member Catherine Payne expressed appreciation for Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian for smooth operations managed throughout COVID-19 and efforts made throughout her leadership and staff to return the libraries to servicing the community.
Committee Member Kili Namau‘u expressed appreciation and noted it is enjoyable to have libraries under the Board’s jurisdiction. She stated there is much confidence in Aldrich’s leadership skills and appreciates what she has done for all libraries.
Committee Member Bruce Voss concurred with other Board members’ comments and stated Aldrich has done an extraordinary job during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that he understands the state’s economic situation, but that the contract permits the Board to consider awarding her with a performance bonus and asked when the Board could consider doing this.
Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that he would review the contract terms. Committee Member Voss stated that the contract provides that the annual salary shall be subject to an annual review and that the Board may consider giving one-time performance bonuses. He stated he would like to ensure there is some kind of schedule for the Board to consider potential increases or bonuses if applicable. Committee Chairperson Takeno replied that the Board could make salary increases, including bonuses, during the term of the contract.
Committee Member Cox noted Aldrich met all qualifications and has done well in her position.
Committee Chairperson Takeno explained that due to an oversight, Aldrich’s contract ended on April 6, 2021. He apologized for the oversight and stated that the entire Board fully would like to express appreciation for all that she has done during very challenging times and that it look forward to the future of public libraries in Hawaii.
Aldrich stated it really has been a chaotic year and noted that she could not have done it without amazing HSPLS staff. She stated that she is grateful for the opportunity to continue in this leadership position and truly appreciates the kind words.
Committee Member Fallin disconnected from the meeting at 9:43 a.m.
Committee Chairperson Takeno called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Committee Vice Chairperson Barcarse, Committee Members Cox, Namauʻu, Payne, Uemura, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to approve the state librarian’s employment contract attached to Committee Chairperson Takeno’s memorandum, dated May 20, 2021 (Barcarse/Cox). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
Bacon presented the request for approval for Department employees excluded from collective bargaining expiring June 30, 2021 to receive the same benefits as included employees. He stated that as of May 11, 2021 there are 422 employees excluded under Chapter 89C, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) entitled, “Public Officers and Employees Excluded From Collective Bargaining,” and the Board is the appropriate authority to make adjustments for excluded employees. Bacon stated that Bargaining Units (“BU”) 1, 2, and 3 have ratified an agreement; BU 4, and 13 are in process of ratification; and BU 5, 6, 9, and 10 have rejected the employers’ offer.
Bacon stated that excluded members are not able to vote like their included counterparts and therefore under Chapter 89C, HRS, the Board is in essence their voice. He stated the Department believes in fairness to those employees excluded from the collective bargaining process and that the same benefits an employer offers to included employees should be offered to excluded employees, effective July 1, 2021. He noted that the Department will not incur any costs for this because the Legislature passed sufficient appropriations for adjustments for excluded employees under House Bill 1297.
Bacon stated that the contract term is from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. He stated that since the contract does not include any salary increases, no Board action is needed at this time regarding salaries; however, if a salary increase is agreed upon when the contract is reopened, the Department will need to present this to the Board at a future meeting.
Committee Vice Chairperson Barcarse moved to approve the EUTF adjustments for Department employees excluded from BU 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 13 and any other Department employees entitled to coverage under Section 89-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as described in Christina Kishimoto’s, Superintendent, memorandum dated May 20, 2021. Committee Member Cox seconded.
Committee Member Payne asked for clarification of the administrative issue raised by the testimony from EUTF. Bacon replied that EUTF has the ability to process all of the transactions if done statewide; if the Board did not approve extending benefits to excluded employees, then EUTF would have an administrative issue when processing the benefits increase. Mizuno confirmed that the Board’s approval of the extension of benefits for excluded employees resolves EUTF’s administrative issue.
Committee Chairperson Takeno called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Committee Vice Chairperson Barcarse, Committee Members Cox, Namauʻu, Payne, Uemura, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to approve the EUTF adjustments for Department employees excluded from collective bargaining units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 13 and any other Department employees entitled to coverage under Section 89-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as described in Superintendent Christina Kishimoto’s memorandum dated May 20, 2021 (Barcarse/Cox). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
IV. Late Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items
Committee Chairperson Takeno called for public testimony from any individuals who did not have an opportunity to testify on earlier agenda items. No one provided oral testimony at this time.
Committee members received written testimony before the meeting. The following is a listing of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting.
Name | Organization | Agenda Item |
Derek Mizuno | EUTF Administrator | III. B. Committee Action on recommendation concerning Hawaii EUTF adjustments for Department of Education employees excluded from Collective Bargaining |