STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, June 20, 2019

PRESENT:
Catherine Payne, Chairperson
Brian De Lima, Esq., Vice Chairperson
Patricia Bergin
Margaret Cox
Kili Namauʻu
Kenneth Uemura
Bruce Voss, Esq.
Colonel Carolyn Stickell (military representative)
David Texeira (student representative)

EXCUSED:
Nolan Kawano
Dwight Takeno

ALSO PRESENT:
Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent
Dann Carlson, Assistant Superintendent, Office of School Facilities and Support Services
James Kauhi, Student Transportation Services Manager, Student Transportation Services Branch, Office of School Facilities and Support Services
Shannah Smith, Institutional Analyst, Data Quality, Data Governance and Analysis Branch, Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Board Private Secretary
Irina Dana Secretary


I. Call to Order

The Board of Education (“Board”) General Business Meeting was called to order by Board Chairperson Catherine Payne at 1:30 p.m.

Note: The Board took agenda item VI.B, entitled “Board Action on resolution recognizing Board Member Patricia Bergin for her service,” before the agenda item below.


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

Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony. There was no public testimony at this time.


III. Approval of Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2019

ACTION: Motion to approve the General Business Meeting minutes of June 6, 2019, and the General Business Meeting Executive Session minutes of June 6, 2019 (De Lima/Uemura). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


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

Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent, reviewed the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan planning and draft promises, including a focus on the portfolio of school designs. She highlighted that the Department held its first inaugural computer science conference, and over 7,000 individuals attended, including 500 teachers. She stated that the focus of the conference was teachers teaching teachers and detailed that teachers designed sessions for one another and shared best practices. Kishimoto highlighted that three students participated in Technology, Entertainment, and Design (“TED”) Talks for conference participants, including Student Representative David Texeira. TED Talks topics included the design of prosthetic arms, using gaming for instruction, and expanding student voice and leadership.

Kishimoto presented a video that focused on school design.

Kishimoto stated that the Department began discussing school design over a year ago. The Department introduced the school design process by creating a common understanding and a four-prong approach. The Department reviewed vision, school communities, curriculum, instructional design structures, access, delivery, and student voice. She noted that complex area superintendents (“CAS”) and principals finalized a set of indicators to define school design and designed a matrix. She stated that CASs and principals plan to visit each other’s schools this year and share school designs and their understanding of the indicators and matrix. She detailed that each school created a description of their school design profile to showcase their design to parents, students, and community members.

Kishimoto stated that the Department would present 25% of the portfolios to the Board in the future. She explained that the Department determined that it was feasible for 25% of schools in each complex area to complete a school portfolio to start. The next step is for complexes and principals to share best practices and highlight school models from the 25% of completed portfolios.

Shannah Smith, Institutional Analyst, Data Quality, Data Governance and Analysis Branch, Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance, presented the Department’s school design webpage and highlighted how to view each school’s portfolio. Kishimoto highlighted that the Department plans to document each school’s design model on its webpage for parents and community members to view.

Kishimoto stated that the Department’s next steps are to complete the remainder of school profiles. She noted that the 25% of schools that complete their profiles would act as a model to the remainder of schools. She highlighted that the Department is incorporating student voice by having students work on a mobile app that will allow users to view portfolios on their phones. The mobile app is from the student perspective and shows parents what students are experiencing and learning in school. Kishimoto stated that the Department is working on vetting its five draft promises with the community and highlighted that school portfolios align with the Department’s third promise of providing quality school options for students across the state. She stated that the Department plans to continue sharing information, collecting feedback, and updating its portfolios.

Student Representative Texeira reported that the Hawaii State Student Council held a Student Leadership Conference with the theme of “Life through Leadership.” Attendees participated in board games to learn various lessons about education, life, and learning. He detailed that the conference focused on communication, innovation, collaboration, and risk-taking. Students felt encouraged to bring student voice to their schools, seek less heard student voices, collaborate with other students, and be innovative.

Student Representative Texeira highlighted that he had the opportunity to participate in a TED Talk at the Department’s computer science conference and shared the importance of technological literacy. He highlighted that both students and teachers learned from the conference.

Student Representative Texeira reported that the Hawaii State Student Council had the opportunity to work with the Department on its five promises draft and share feedback.


V. Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items

Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony. There was no public testimony at this time.


VI. Action Items
Board Chairperson Payne explained that the State Public Charter School Commission is requesting that the Board continue an extension to the waivers from the graduation requirements in Board Policy 102-15, entitled “High School Graduation Requirements and Commencement,” for Hawaii Technology Academy and University Laboratory School.

ACTION: Motion to grant a waiver from the graduation requirements in Board Policy 102-15 to Hawaii Technology Academy and University Laboratory School for the graduating classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 (De Lima/Cox). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

Note: Board Chairperson Payne took this agenda item out of order before agenda item II, entitled “Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items.” Board Chairperson Payne asked for public testimony on this agenda item before the presentation, discussion, and action, but there was none.

Board Chairperson Payne recognized Board Member Patricia Bergin for her service.

Board Members shared parting comments regarding Board Member Bergin.

ACTION: Motion to adopt the resolution recognizing Board Member Patricia Bergin for her service (Uemura/Cox). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


The Board took this agenda item together with agenda item VII.D, entitled “Board Action on draft amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 8-5, Public Access to Information.” See the minutes under agenda item VII.D. for the discussion.

James Kauhi, Student Transportation Services Manager, Student Transportation Services Branch, Office of School Facilities and Support Services, stated that the Department proposed an amendment to Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”) Chapter 8-27, entitled “Transportation of Students” (“Chapter 27”) due to concerns about the financial impacts of the Community Eligibility Provision (“CEP”) program expansion on the bus transportation program. He explained that the expansion of the CEP program inadvertently made bus service free to all students who live a qualifying distance from school and are enrolled at a participating CEP school because all students now qualify for free lunch. The implementation and expansion of the CEP program caused an annual reduction of $116,000 in bus fare collections in School Year (“SY”) 2017-2018. Kauhi stated that the Department proposes to amend the rules to state that for CEP-participating schools, only students whose parents are eligible under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) are eligible for free bus service.

Kauhi detailed that the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and the Board approved the Department’s proposed amendments to Chapter 27 on November 15, 2018, and the Department obtained the Governor’s approval to go to public hearing. The Department published a public notice of the public hearing on April 19, 2019 in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Hawaii Tribune Herald, West Hawaii Today, Maui News, and the Garden Island newspapers. The Department posted to the Board’s website and Lieutenant Governor’s website. He noted that the Department published a telephone number, mailing address, and email address for individuals who were not able to attend the hearing to submit comments. The Department also notified and instructed CASs to issue the hearing notice to their principals with a request to share this information with parents. He detailed that the Department made copies of Chapter 27 available in eight satellite offices. Kauhi stated that the Department conducted a public hearing on May 23, 2019. He noted that the Department did not receive any oral or written testimony. He stated that the Department did not make changes, as it did not receive public comments, and recommends that the Board give its final approval so that the Department could obtain the Governor’s final approval.

Board Member Kenneth Uemura commented that the Finance and Infrastructure Committee expressed concerns during the November 15, 2018 meeting regarding the location of the public hearing and asked for more information. Kauhi explained that the Department is required to hold one public hearing if a rule change could potentially affect students statewide. He noted that the Department would need to hold multiple hearings if rule changes would potentially affect specific demographics. He stated that the requirement was for the Department to hold one public hearing on Oahu because the proposal would affect all students across the state equally. He stated that the Department held its public hearing at Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School. Carlson reiterated that the Department presented the public with multiple opportunities and formats in which to submit testimony and comments.

Board Member Uemura asked about the financial implications.

Carlson explained that the Department hopes to restore most of the revenue stream it lost in SY 2017-2018. He noted that the reduction could increase if additional schools participate in the CEP program.

Board Member Uemura asked if the Department expects to recover $116,400 in bus fare collections. Kauhi explained that the Department experienced a reduction of $116,400 in bus fare collections as a result of the implementation and expansion of the CEP program. He stated that the Department could not anticipate the actual return until it begins the school year and determines ridership and SNAP eligibility. Carlson added that SNAP eligibility varies year to year as does the number of students who ride the school bus.

Board Member Uemura commented that the Department initially presented to the Board in 2018 and asked if this is a typical timeline for promulgating administrative rules. Carlson confirmed that the timeline is typical and explained that the public hearing process is lengthy.
Board Member Bruce Voss stated that families who are struggling might not have the time or opportunity to attend public hearings. He stated that many of these families might experience difficulty affording bus service even if they are not eligible for SNAP benefits. Board Member Voss asked how many students would lose free bus service. Kauhi stated that 400 students statewide would no longer be eligible for free bus service once the current proposal goes into effect.

Board Member Voss asked if the students who would lose free bus service are concentrated in specific communities. Carlson explained that the CEP program focuses on areas in which a high number of students who are eligible for SNAP benefits live. He noted that some of these students tend to live in underprivileged communities.

Board Member Voss asked about financial aid for families who are unable to afford bus services. Kauhi stated that the Department does not directly offer financial aid. He noted that 95% of students in CEP participating schools received free bus services prior the implementation of the CEP program. He detailed that the Department anticipated that more students would ride the bus if they were able to for free, but the Department did not experience an increase in ridership. He stated that families who paid for bus services prior to the implementation of the CEP program would need to pay again unless they are eligible for SNAP benefits. He noted that families might be concerned.

Board Member Voss expressed concern that students who are not eligible for SNAP benefits but cannot afford to pay for bus service might not attend school as a result. Carlson stated that the Department’s vision is to not charge for bus services. Board Member Voss asked for more information regarding the Department’s goal. Carlson explained that the Department would need to prioritize free bus services, restructure contracts, negotiate, and determine how to offset lost revenue. Board Member Voss stated that he would like the Department to work toward this goal.

Carlson stated that the Department’s proposed amendment to HAR Chapter 8-5, entitled “Public Access to Information” (“Chapter 5”) clarifies the fee the Department charges for copies of public records.

Board Member Uemura asked about the Department’s public hearing for Chapter 5. Carlson explained that the Department conducted the hearing for Chapter 5 at the same time and in the same location as the hearing for Chapter 27.

ACTION: Motion to approve the Department’s proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 8-27, entitled “Transportation of Students,” as attached to the Department’s memorandum dated June 20, 2019, and Chapter 8-5, entitled “Public Access to Information,” as attached to the Department’s memorandum dated June 20, 2019 (De Lima/Uemura). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


VII. Executive Session
The Board did not enter into executive session.


VIII. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Payne adjourned the meeting at 2:16 p.m.