STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, September 15, 2022

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

EXCUSED:
Makana McClellan

ALSO PRESENT:
Maverick Yasuda, Student Representative
Mark Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Executive Secretary
Lady Garrett, Secretary


I. Call to Order

Board Chairperson Bruce Voss called the Board of Education (“Board”) General Business Meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Board Chairperson Voss, Board Vice Chairperson Kaimana Barcarse, and Board Members Bill Arakaki, Shanty Asher, Lynn Fallin, Ken Kuraya, Lauren Moriarty, and Kili Namau‘u were present.


II. Swearing in of student representative

Mark Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court, swore in Student Representative Maverick Yasuda.

Board Chairperson Voss asked Board Student Representative Yasuda to share a few words.

Board Student Representative Yasuda stated that he is a student at Waipahu High School and a proud Marauder. He expressed appreciation and noted that he is looking forward to serving as the new representative and would like to learn from Board Members.

Board Chairperson Voss expressed appreciation for former Board Student Representative Kyla Musso and noted that she played a critical role in the selection of the superintendent. He shared that she received a scholarship from an anonymous donor.

Musso expressed appreciation for the Board and noted that it has been over a year since her first meeting and she would like to think that she has grown quite a bit. She shared that it has been inspiring to work with adults who put students at the forefront of their work, especially as students dealt with returning to in-person learning. Musso expressed appreciation for Tiffany Frias, Hawaii State Student Council (“HSSC”) Coordinator and her fellow students for entrusting her with this position. She wished the new Board Student Representative Yasuda the best of luck and announced she will be continuing education at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa this fall.


III. Public Testimony on Board of Education (“Board”) Agenda Items

Board Chairperson Voss called for public testimony.

Cheri Nakamura, HEʻE Coalition, testified on agenda item V.A, entitled “Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department of Education’s (“Department”) 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s capital improvement projects and repair and maintenance and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year.” She testified that the missing page relating to the Capital Improvement Projects (“CIP”) has been restored on the Department’s website and emphasized that student safety is paramount before the opening of Kūlanihākoʻi School.

Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified on agenda item V.A, entitled “Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department of Education’s (“Department”) 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s capital improvement projects and repair and maintenance and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year.” She testified that she would like to focus on safety and clean air for classrooms, noted that the Department has taken steps to improve the risks of COVID-19 spreading in schools, and requested that the Board continue to support allocations for clean air in classrooms.


IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2022 General Business Meeting, August 18, 2022 Special Meeting, September 1, 2022 Special Meeting

Board Chairperson Voss asked Board members to review the minutes of the Board’s August 18, 2022 General Business Meeting, August 18, 2022 Special Meeting, and September 1, 2022 Special Meeting.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse moved to approve the meeting minutes of the Board’s August 18, 2022 General Business Meeting, August 18, 2022 Special Meeting, and September 1, 2022 Special Meeting. Board Member Kuraya seconded.

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

ACTION: Motion to approve the meeting minutes of the Board’s August 18, 2022 General Business Meeting, August 18, 2022 Special Meeting, and September 1, 2022 Special Meeting (Barcarse/Kuraya). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


V. Reports of Board Committees, Board Members, and Superintendent

Board Chairperson Voss called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one testified at this time.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Fallin reported that the Committee recessed at 11:53 a.m. and reconvened at 1:50 p.m. She stated that the purpose of the Department’s presentation was to lay the foundation for the October meeting in which the Board will review the budget for submission to the Governor and legislature. Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Fallin highlighted that the Committee discussed alignment to the Board strategic plans, results, and program review or changes over time including concise presentations. She reported that the second presentation was on the CIP and repair and maintenance (“R&M”) challenges in which the Committee received input and concerns on timely funding and periodic reports.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Fallin stated that the Committee requested updated website information and shared concerns about health and safety in areas of air quality, ventilation and traffic, and other areas in the upcoming budget process. She stated that the meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m. Board Member Kili Namauʻu expressed concern regarding what is happening on Maui and shared that the Maui County Council convened to discuss Kūlanihākoʻi High School. She stated that there is a great possibility that the school may not be open since Maui County may not issue a certificate of occupancy and emphasized that the Department needs to address student safety.

Board Chairperson Voss noted that it is the Board’s expectation to open the school in a timely fashion.


Board Chairperson Voss called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one testified at this time.

Board Member Moriarty reported that this was the University of Hawaii College of Education’s first in person meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic. She shared that Dean of Education Nathan Murata outlined priorities going forward and that the event included a motivational speech from Nainoa Thompson and a plea that the education system work together on the next voyage to integrate educational opportunities for our children. Board Member Moriarty highlighted that the College of Education is working on workforce planning to better align to the workforce needs of our society. She stated that the Hawaii Education Research Network is involving education faculty to collaborate, identify, and respond to research needs to support and improve educational outcomes as a high priority to bridge the teacher gap to produce more teachers to meet shortages.

Board Member Asher reported that the HawaiiKidsCAN and Teach for America event took place on September 8, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at the First Hawaiian Bank Bankers Club. She expressed appreciation for community members that work hard to push students to find their potential. Board Member Asher shared that the event included three presentations: indigenous computer science from DreamHouse Public Charter School, Music Olympics from Zachary Morita, and Isaiah Pule on E Ala navigation. She asked what mechanisms are in place to celebrate these stories and asked who these individuals should be working with to continue the great work.

Board Member Moriarty expressed appreciation for the event, especially watching the work and seeing all the work being done to support our schools.


VI. Late Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items

Board Chairperson Voss called for public testimony from any individuals who did not have an opportunity to testify on earlier agenda items. No one testified at this time.

Board 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
Susan Pcola-DavisV.A. Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department’s 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s CIP and R&M and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year
Cheri NakamuraHEʻE CoalitionV.A. Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department’s 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s CIP and R&M and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year
Lynn OtaguroV.A. Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department’s 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s CIP and R&M and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year
Sarah HofstadterHALE HawaiiV.A. Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on September 1, 2022 meeting: (1) Presentation on Department’s 2023-2025 fiscal biennium operating budget process; (2) Update on status of Department’s CIP and R&M and anticipated challenges for 2022-2023 school year



VII. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Voss adjourned the meeting at 2:19 p.m.