EXCUSED:
None
ALSO PRESENT:
Stephen Schatz, Executive Director, Hawaii P-20
Cynthia Covell, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Executive Secretary
Lady Garrett, Secretary
II. Executive Session
This portion of the meeting was closed under Section 92‑4 and Section 92‑5(a)(4) and (3), Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Board Chairperson Payne stated that the Board would need to move into executive session to deliberate on the authority of the Board member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association (“HSTA”) and to consult with its attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Board’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities concerning successor bargaining.
Board Member Dwight Takeno moved to enter into executive session to deliberate on the authority of the Board member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with HSTA and to consult with its attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Board’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities concerning successor bargaining. Board Vice Chairperson Kenneth Uemura seconded.
Board Chairperson Payne asked if there were any objections to motion. No Board member raised objections, and the motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Cox, Fallin, Namauʻu, Takeno, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to move into executive session to deliberate on the authority of the Board member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association and to consult with its attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Board’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities concerning successor bargaining (Takeno/Uemura). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.
The Board recessed at 2:05 p.m. and reconvened at 2:29 p.m.
III. Reports of Board of Education ("Board") Committees, Board Members, and Superintendent
Julie Reyes Oda, Nānākuli High and Intermediate School, testified on the Department’s reorganization plan. She stated the reorganization plan claims to have the objectives of making the Department more streamlined and efficient to be student focused and include teacher voice. She proposed the Board give the plan back to the Department and ask them to try again because the plan needs to show how students and schools will be supported, not on what will be done to support employing tri-level leadership.
Board Member Takeno, Human Resource (“HR”) Committee Chairperson reported the Committee discussed the Department's reorganization plan to preserve classroom instruction: temporary or permanent closure, consolidations, reorganization, restructuring, or merger of offices, programs, services, and positions for State Office, Complex Area, and School levels. He also reported that the Committee took action on the methodology for compensation adjustments for Department leadership employees, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents (“CAS”) for leadership compensation adjustments, projected amount of funds required and source of funds for adjustments. HR Committee Chairperson Takeno detailed that the HR Committee engaged in an extensive conversation with a focus on House Bill 546, which would impact the Department’s reporting requirements and could potentially jeopardize federal funds. He shared that during the discussion, Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent, recommended that the Board engage with the legislature on a plan and vision for the Department’s governance structure and the Board and legislature’s oversight of the Department. HR Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the HR Committee acknowledged that the Department’s memorandum was created prior to external events and the Department did not anticipate addressing these potential factors in the overall reorganization plan; however, due to time constraints the discussion was tabled and will be revisited at a later time.
HR Committee Chairperson Takeno also reported that the HR Committee discussed one action item on leadership compensation and noted all HR Committee members support equity in compensation and recognition of leadership for their exceptional performance. He recognized the Department’s leadership faced difficult challenges and raised their levels of performance and commitment to students, staff, and the Department. HR Committee Chairperson Takeno noted that the HR Committee is aware of the optics of giving raises to leadership while the Department and the state is facing financial difficulties. He stated that these decisions will be questioned and will impact the morale of other Department staff; nevertheless, the Committee is recommending approval of an increase in leadership compensation.
B. Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-2.5(b)(1) investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent, including transition timeline and process, recommendation for an interim superintendent, search timeline and process, and composition of group conducting search: findings and recommendations on timeline and process for selecting and transitioning to an interim superintendent and searching and selecting a permanent superintendent
Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.
Cheri Nakamura, HE‘E Coalition, testified in support for the recommendations of the investigative committee investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent (“Transition Committee”) regarding the process to select the interim superintendent. She stated that regarding the selection of the permanent superintendent the HE‘E Coalition suggested the Board adjust the timeline to form the advisory group sooner so it can collaborate with the search committee on the criteria and job description.
Julie Reyes Oda, Nānākuli High and Intermediate School, testified that the Transition Committee is recommending publishing the interim superintendent position for only two weeks, but will not present its recommendations to the Board until June 3, 2021. She also noted that she does not agree with the Transition Committee’s recommendation that the Board should forgo the evaluation for the current superintendent.
Board Chairperson Payne reported the Transition Committee’s findings and recommendations. She stated that it recommended using an open application process for the selection of an interim superintendent to ensure the broadest pool of candidates and to promote fairness. Board Chairperson Payne stated that the committee recommended planning for an August 1, 2021 start date for the interim superintendent to avoid overlapping with Kishimoto’s term. She also noted that the Transition Committee recommended that Kishimoto should primarily focus on closing out the 2020-2021 school year, implementing summer learning for 2021, and preparing schools for opening for the 2021-2022 school year. Board Chairperson Payne further explained that the Transition Committee recommended that Kishimoto and the interim superintendent should only fill vacant leadership positions with individuals who can act in these capacities temporarily to allow the permanent superintendent to select their leadership team. She stated that the committee recommends using a search process for the permanent superintendent that is similar to what the Board used in 2017.
Board Chairperson Payne noted that the Transition Committee is planning on presenting its recommendation for the interim superintendent and the composition of the group conducting the search at later meetings. She explained that pursuant to Sunshine Law, the Board could not deliberate or take action on the Transition Committee’s findings and recommendations at this meeting, but the Board would do so at its next meeting.
IV. Discussion Items
Corey Rosenlee, HSTA, testified on the College and Career Readiness Indicators (“CCRI”) and noted Hawaii P-20 data highlights the stagnation or decline of major indicators and that when the data are disaggregate into sub-groups they show many students are being left behind. He noted the Department needs to use federal resources for long term capacity areas because CCRI results will not improve unless an effort is made to reach out to most vulnerable students and he urged the Department to move towards authentic assessments to allow higher level thinking and scaffolding learning for students.
Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, stood on her written testimony.
Board Chairperson Payne called on Stephen Schatz, Executive Director, Hawaii P-20, to present on CCRI for the Class of 2020 and the impacts of COVID-19 and distance learning.
Schatz shared that the CCRI report has been produced by Hawaii P-20 for over a decade and includes data for each of the public high schools in the state. He shared that it reports on how students are performing while in high school, college-going rate, and remediation rates at the University of Hawaii. Schatz detailed that the headline from this year’s CCRI results is that college enrollment has declined, especially for underrepresented groups, which may also be a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared that the college enrollment rate went down about five percentage points with significant declines for certain student demographics, in particular, Native Hawaiians (9 percentage point decline) and Pacific Islanders (6 percentage point decline) as well as students who are economically disadvantaged (6 percentage point decline). He stated that many families were faced with tough decisions on what to do when students graduated last spring in 2020 and COVID-19 negatively impacted everyone. Schatz highlighted that high school graduation rates went up and is at the highest point since the CCRI report has been in existence.
Schatz expressed concern that ACT scores for the Class of 2020 declined in all subject areas and that the participation rate is below the levels from previous years. He explained that the ACT score metric was not affected by COVID-19 because the Class of 2020 took the test in 2019. He stated that Hawaii P-20, along with community partners put together a program called Next Steps for graduating seniors to connect with an advisor to help students apply for college and complete their FAFSA and have the opportunity to attend free online community college classes at each of the seven University of Hawaii campuses.
Schatz explained that students who participated were eligible for scholarships to attend college and over 2,000 students took advantage of this program. He detailed that a similar program will be in place for the Class of 2021, and that preliminary data shows that FAFSA applications and community college applications are down significantly, so Hawaii P-20 is doing its best to let students know about the program. He noted that further information is available at www.nextsteps.hawaii.edu.
Board Chairperson Payne stated that there is a lot to think about for the long-term impacts from this time and the implications of learning loss. She requested more information on the cohort moving to graduation and how to account for the comings and goings of students in schools that have high transient rates or schools highly impacted by military families when few of those students graduate before their family leaves the state. She asked to what extent transiency affects the Department’s ability to increase the graduation rate.
Schatz explained that students that leave the state before graduating will not negatively impact the graduation rate. He noted that about ten years ago there was a movement for all states to get on the same page about how graduation rates from state to state are calculated and calculate it by cohort. Board Chairperson Payne noted that it is important to look at the graduation rate across all states and asked whether a student who transfers into Hawaii during Grade 10 would be included in the cohort for graduation rate calculation purposes. Schatz confirm that a student transferring in would not be included in the cohort for graduation rate calculation purposes.
Board Member Shanty Asher stated there are encouraging data points as well as areas for improvement. She noted that prior to COVID-19, data reflected low levels of college enrollment within the Pacific Islander community. Board Member Asher asked how the success of the Next Step program might be impacted because students are struggling with a lack of connectivity and chronic absenteeism. She requested information on Hawaii P-20's efforts to actively reach out to these students and get them to participate in the Next Step program.
Schatz explained that Next Step program information is shared with principals, and counselors at the school level as well as the CASs so they can take tangible action to get students enrolled. He noted that due to COVID-19 the on the ground work with schools and parents has been challenging
Board Member Asher asked if Hawaii P-20 has collaborated with non-profits in order to reach the Pacific Islander community. She stated community members are community navigators who have the trust of the community and are good resources to get the information to families. Board Member Asher suggested Hawaii P-20 explore using community navigators and noted that many in the Pacific Islander community are not aware that these programs exist. Schatz agreed and noted that there have been some partnerships, but that Hawaii P-20 can do better because involving people in the community will result in the greatest impact.
Board Vice Chairperson Uemura asked if the results of the Hawaii State Assessments (“HSA”) are in line with national averages. Schatz stated HSA results are harder to compare to other states, even those administering the same standardized test because every state norms its test differently. He detailed that the most important thing Board Members need to look at is whether there are any trends and to consider other data points to determine whether other data points are also reflecting the same trend as the HSA results; for example, if HSA results and other data points are all trending negatively.
Board Vice Chairperson Uemura asked whether the data can be broken down further so the Department can determine things like whether students are more proficient in computation versus word problem solving so the Board can allocate more instructional resources to the specific component where students need additional support. Schatz replied that the Department’s assessment division can break the data down into more specific components to inform the Board as to the areas students are excelling or struggling in. Board Vice Chairperson Uemura expressed his interest in taking a deeper dive into the data at the component level to address instructional resource needs.
Board Member Bruce Voss expressed concerns regarding declining ACT scores and asked if there is anything to explain this decline. Schatz cautioned against overreacting to a single year’s worth of data for any particular data point and encouraged Board Members to look at trends over time.
Board Member Voss asked what the Department should begin to look at in order to correct this trend. Schatz replied that a good place to start is to look into where students are struggling and to review the curriculum being used by teachers throughout the system.
Board Chairperson Payne expressed appreciation to Hawaii P-20 for the presentation and noted that the presentation allows the Board to look at how to support the changes to help our students be successful.
V. Action Items
Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified in opposition to the recommendation for Board action for compensation adjustments for Department leadership employees. She expressed appreciation for all the hard work done during the 2019-2020 school year.
Board Member Takeno stated that the committee recommended approving: (1) the use of funds in an amount not to exceed $70,000 for executive compensation adjustments for the deputy superintendent, assistant superintendents, and complex area superintendents (“CASs”), effective July 1, 2020; and (2) the compensation adjustments and proposed methodology using performance evaluation ratings for School Year 2019-2020 and the percentage increase tied to the consumer price index for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, as described in Kishimoto’s April 15, 2021 memorandum.
Board Member Kaimana Barcarse stated that he voted to support the recommendation during the HR Committee meeting, but asked if it is possible for the Board to bifurcate the action item and vote on the CASs compensation adjustments separate from the deputy superintendent and assistant superintendents.
Board Chairperson Payne stated that bifurcating the main motion requires an amendment and second from another member.
Board Vice Chairperson Uemura stated that he lost connectivity during the HR Committee discussion and did not have a chance to offer his thoughts on the recommendation. He clarified that all Board members appreciate the work of the leadership team and reminded the Board that the compensation adjustments would be paid out of 2020-2021 fiscal year funds. Board Vice Chairperson Uemura expressed concern because of economic uncertainty and pointed out that other public service leaders are foregoing raises. He recognized the concern that foregoing compensation adjustments for leadership, but that he believes that the retention of employees in these positions will be the real issue. Board Vice Chairperson Uemura expressed support for the amendment to bifurcate the action item and vote on the CAS compensation adjustments separate from the deputy superintendent and assistant superintendents.
Board Chairperson Payne reminded Board members that in 2019 the Board agreed to a system of leadership compensation based on performance and asked how not giving compensation adjustments will reflect on the Board’s credibility. Board Vice Chairperson Uemura stated that under the Board’s system of leadership compensation, the Board is not required to adjust leadership compensation if there is budget uncertainty and that just because a performance assessment is done, a raise is not guaranteed.
Board Member Lynn Fallin stated she is open to considering an incremental increase for CASs given their role and because they are close to the school level.
Board Member Voss stated there is a lot of discussion about optics and that should be the last thing the Board is worried about. He stated that in 2016 the Board promised that compensation adjustments would be made based on performance evaluations and the leadership team has worked hard under difficult situations and is now asking the Board to do what it promised to do.
Board Vice Chairperson Uemura respectfully disagreed with Board Member Voss and stated that he was the member who authored the methodology for the system of leadership compensation. He stated that the methodology was based on funding availability and that the amount that could be used to adjust leadership compensation had to be approved by the Board. Board Vice Chairperson Uemura expressed his support for approving compensation adjustments for CASs since their position provides leadership directly to schools.
Board Member Margaret Cox stated it is a slap in the face to approve compensation adjustments for CASs and not the rest of the leadership team.
Board Member Takeno stated that the leadership team raised their levels of performance as expectations rose; however, given the Department’s current budget situation this is about the Department’s ability to pay for compensation adjustments. He stated that he is inclined to support compensation adjustments for CASs and would prefer to defer compensation adjustments for all other leadership positions.
Board Member Takeno moved to amend the main motion to approve the use of funds necessary for the executive compensation adjustments for CASs and defer action on compensation adjustments for the deputy superintendent and assistant superintendents until after the Legislature approves the state budget. Board Member Barcarse seconded.
Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the secondary motion. The motion carried with Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Fallin, and Takeno voting aye and Board Members Cox, Namauʻu, and Voss voting nay.
Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the amended main motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Cox, Fallin, Namauʻu, Takeno, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to: (1) approve the use of funds necessary for executive compensation adjustments for the complex area superintendents, effective July 1, 2020; (2) approve the compensation adjustments for the complex area superintendents and proposed methodology using performance evaluation ratings for School Year 2019-2020 and the percentage increase tied to the consumer price index for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, as described in Kishimoto’s April 15, 2021 memorandum; and (3) defer action on the executive compensation adjustments for the deputy superintendent and assistant superintendents until after the Legislature approves the state budget. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
B. Board Action on designation of Board Members to an investigative committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 92-2.5(b)(1)), concerning nomination of individuals to serve as members of the State Public Charter School Commission
Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.
Board Chairperson Payne stated that the Board’s process for the nomination and appointment of individuals to serve as members of the State Public Charter School Commission requires the Board to establish an investigative committee. She explained that the investigative committee would present its nominations at the Board’s May 20, 2021 general business meeting, and the Board would take action on the nominations at its subsequent general business meeting on June 17, 2021.
Board Vice Chairperson Uemura moved to: (1) establish an investigative committee tasked with nominating individuals to serve as members on the State Public Charter School Commission for the Board to consider for appointment; and (2) designate Board Members Barcarse, Fallin, and Namau‘u to serve on the investigative committee, with Board Member Namau‘u serving as chairperson. Board Member Cox seconded.
Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Cox, Fallin, Namauʻu, Takeno, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to: (1) establish an investigative committee tasked with nominating individuals to serve as members on the State Public Charter School Commission for the Board to consider for appointment; and (2) designate Board Members Barcarse, Fallin, and Namau‘u to serve on the investigative committee, with Board Member Namau‘u serving as chairperson (Uemura/Cox). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
C. Board Action on Addendum to June 26, 2020 Memorandum of Understanding between State of Hawaii, Board of Education, and Hawaii State Teachers Association (School Year 2020-2021 COVID Response
Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.
Board Chairperson Payne called on Cynthia Covell, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management, to provide the Department’s recommendation on the addendum to the June 26, 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the Board and HSTA.
Board Member Barcarse moved to approve the addendum to the June 26, 2020, MOU between the Board and HSTA (relating to the School Year 2020-2021 COVID-19 response) for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year through its expiration on June 30, 2021 and to authorize the Board Chairperson to execute the MOU on behalf of the Board. Board Member Takeno seconded.
Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Cox, Fallin, Namauʻu, Takeno, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to approve the addendum to the June 26, 2020, Memorandum of Understanding between the Board and Hawaii State Teachers Association (relating to the School Year 2020-2021 COVID-19 response) for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year through its expiration on June 30, 2021 and to authorize the Board Chairperson to execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Board (Barcarse/Takeno). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
D. Board Action on authority of Board Member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association (Bargaining Unit 5) to enter into temporary agreements in accordance with Board Member advice
Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.
Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified that it is unclear what authority will be granted to Board Member Cox and asked what will happen when her term expires on June 30, 2021.
Board Chairperson Payne stated that during the executive session, the Board deliberated on the authority of Board Member Cox, as the Board member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with HSTA, to enter into temporary agreements on behalf of the Board. She noted that the Board is taking action in public based upon its deliberations and pursuant to law.
Board Member Barcarse moved to authorize Board Member Cox, in her role as the Board’s representative in successor bargaining with HSTA, to enter into temporary agreements during the course of successor bargaining as advised by Board members in executive session. Board Member Takeno seconded.
Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Board Vice Chairperson Uemura, Board Members Asher, Barcarse, Cox, Fallin, Namauʻu, Takeno, and Voss).
ACTION: Motion to authorize Board Member Margaret Cox, in her role as the Board’s representative in successor bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association, to enter into temporary agreements during the course of successor bargaining as advised by Board members in executive session (Barcarse/Takeno). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
VI. Late Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items
Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony from any individuals who did not have an opportunity to testify on earlier agenda items.
Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified on the Human Resource Committee report. She stated that she will be sending a chart to Board Member Takeno relating to agenda item III.A.
Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified on findings and recommendations from the investigative committee investigating issues relating to the search for an interim superintendent. She stated the Board should prevent Phyllis Unebasami, Deputy Superintendent, from serving as the interim superintendent while the final candidate is being selected.
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 |
| Corey Rosenlee | HSTA | IV.A. Presentation on College and Career Readiness Indicators for the Class of 2020: Impact of COVID-19 and distance learning |
| 3396723@protonmail.com | III. B. Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-2.5(b)(1) investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent, including transition timeline and process, recommendation for an interim superintendent, search timeline and process, and composition of group conducting search: findings and recommendations on timeline and process for selecting and transitioning to an interim superintendent and searching and selecting a permanent superintendent | |
| Cheri Nakamura | HE'E Coalition | III. B. Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-2.5(b)(1) investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent, including transition timeline and process, recommendation for an interim superintendent, search timeline and process, and composition of group conducting search: findings and recommendations on timeline and process for selecting and transitioning to an interim superintendent and searching and selecting a permanent superintendent |
| Susan Pcola-Davis | III. A. Human Resource Committee Report on: (1) Presentation on Department of Education's reorganization; (2) Committee Action on methodology for compensation adjustments | |
| Susan Pcola-Davis | III. B. Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-2.5(b)(1) investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent, including transition timeline and process, recommendation for an interim superintendent, search timeline and process, and composition of group conducting search: findings and recommendations on timeline and process for selecting and transitioning to an interim superintendent and searching and selecting a permanent superintendent | |
| Susan Pcola-Davis | IV.A. Presentation on College and Career Readiness Indicators for the Class of 2020: Impact of COVID-19 and distance learning | |
| Susan Pcola-Davis | V. A. Board Action on Human Resources Committee recommendation concerning methodology for compensation adjustments | |
| Susan Pcola-Davis | V. D. Board Action on authority of Board Member authorized to represent the Board in successor bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association (Bargaining Unit 5) to enter into temporary agreements in accordance with Board Member advice | |
| Complex Area Superintendents | III. B. Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-2.5(b)(1) investigating issues relating to the search for a superintendent, including transition timeline and process, recommendation for an interim superintendent, search timeline and process, and composition of group conducting search: findings and recommendations on timeline and process for selecting and transitioning to an interim superintendent and searching and selecting a permanent superintendent |
Board Chairperson Payne adjourned the meeting at 4:12 p.m.