STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
HUMAN RESOURCES MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, February 16, 2023

PRESENT:
Kaimana Barcarse, Chairperson
Shanty Asher, Vice Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Lynn Fallin
Ken Kuraya
Kili Namauʻu

EXCUSED:
Bruce Voss

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Sean Bacon, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management, Department of Education
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
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 Vice Chairperson Shanty Asher, Committee Members Bill Arakaki, Lynn Fallin, Ken Kuraya, and Kili Namauʻu were present.


II. Public testimony on Human Resources Committee (“Committee”) agenda items

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called for public testimony. No one testified at this time.


III. Approval of Meeting Minutes of October 6, 2022 Human Resources Committee

Committee Chairperson Barcarse asked Committee members to review the Committee’s October 6, 2022 meeting minutes.

Committee Member Kuraya moved to approve the Committee’s October 6, 2022 meeting minutes. Committee Vice Chairperson Asher seconded.

Committee Chairperson Barcarse asked if there were any objections to the motion. No Committee member raised objections, and the motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Committee Vice Chairperson Asher and Committee Members Arakaki, Fallin, Kuraya, and Namauʻu).

ACTION: Motion to approve the Human Resources Committee October 6, 2022 meeting minutes (Kuraya/Asher). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


IV. Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called for public testimony. No one testified at this time.


V. Recommendation for Action

Committee Chairperson Barcarse called on Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, and Sean Bacon, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management (“OTM”), to present the Department of Education’s (“Department”) recommendation on the declaration of annual reduction in force (“RIF”) for classified employees to initiate collectively bargained placement rights for employees displaced due to changes in staffing needs.

Bacon stated that during the RIF process affected employees are entitled to placement rights and in order to proceed the Department needs the Board’s approval. He outlined that the RIF procedures and noted that a 90-day written notice is required to be provided to employees which scheduled for April 22, 2023. Bacon stated that the RIF affects five classified employees whose positions will not be funded for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

Committee Member Kuraya moved to authorize the Department to commence a RIF for classified employees as described in Hayashi’s memorandum dated February 16, 2023. Committee Member Asher seconded.

Committee Member Fallin noted that the RIF process is included in the collective bargaining agreements and asked what happens if schools need to make changes to their Academic and Financial plans (“ACFN”) due to the RIF. Bacon explained that schools make decisions based on their needs and then works with the OTM to indentify what can be done. He emphasized that the Department’s goal is to keep all employees employed by utilizing the reassignment process.

Committee Member Fallin stated that if the ACFN plan process is split into two with the financial and academic portion how will the schools adjust to the decisions made now as it relates to the budget and staffing. Bacon replied that the school’s ACFN plan drives the RIF process since this is how schools determine how many positions will be needed for the next school year.

Committee Member Fallin requested information to understand how the ACFN and RIF process fits into the overall plan for schools. She asked why the Department cannot combine the academic and financial portions into one plan because delaying the decisions that will be affected by the budget issue she is wondering what the relationship is and why this cannot be combined. Hayashi replied that the academic planning process is an ongoing, year-long process submitted for review in March or April to complex area superintendents to allow schools time to collect data relating to different assessments. He also explained that the salary financial plan is due in December or January when principals make a determination on school staffing needs which triggers the RIF process. Equipment, supply and equipment, any non-FTE positions, and other needs are included in the financial plan that is submitted close to the academic plan. He stated that the salary financial plan triggers the RIF process.

Committee Member Fallin stated that the RIF identified United Public Workers and Hawaii Government Employees Association employees and she would like to understand the impacts and outcomes for employees’.

Committee Chairperson Barcarse stated that the memorandum lists five positions affected but it does mention that this amount may change. He asked what is the likelihood of this changing and what are some of the examples.

Bacon replied that sometimes during the process employees choose to retire or decide to apply for other positions which the employee will then be removed from the RIF list. He stated that the Department does not anticipate changes but this may change based on the employees reaction to the RIF notice.

Committee Member Kuraya stated that of the five employees are those affected at all school levels. Bacon confirmed that all positions are school level.

Committee Member Kuraya asked if the decisions are due to the weighted student formula funding. Bacon confirmed that the school decisions are based on the funding.

Committee Member Arakaki stated that the Department has a good process and the options are transparent and clear and with timing there are processes where the principals look at their staff and look at their funding. The academic plan, staff development, training, which will be finalized come March.

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, Kuraya, and Namauʻu).

ACTION: Motion to authorize the Department to commence a RIF for classified employees as described in Hayashi’s memorandum dated February 16, 2023 (Kuraya/Asher). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


VI. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Barcarse adjourned the meeting at 11:18 a.m.