March 28, 2024

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, March 28, 2024

PRESENT:
Warren Haruki, Chairperson
Kaimana Barcarse, Vice Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Kahele Dukelow
Ken Kuraya
Lauren Moriarty

EXCUSED:
Shanty Asher
Makana McClellan

ALSO PRESENT:
Darien Chow, Deputy Attorney General, Education Division
Ahryanna McGuirk, Student Representative
David Tom, Military Representative
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, Department of Education
Felicia Villalobos, Executive Director, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
Capsun Poe, Board Executive Director
Wimmie Wong Lui, Board Analyst
Lady Garrett, Secretary

I. Call to Order

Board Chairperson Warren Haruki called the Board of Education (“Board”) General Business Meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.

II. Approval of Meeting Minutes of February 22, 2024, General Business Meeting

ACTION: Motion to approve the Board’s February 22, 2024, General Business Meeting minutes (Barcarse/Kuraya). The motion was carried through unanimous consent from all members present.

III. Report of the Superintendent

Update on Maui wildfire impacts;

Update on supplemental operating and capital improvement project budget requests for fiscal year 2024-2025; and

Awards and recognitions for students, employees, and/or schools

The Board took agenda items III.A., III.B., and III.C. together.

Board Chairperson Haruki called on Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, and Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy to provide the report of the superintendent.

Maui wildfire impacts. Hayashi reported the following: (1) The Hawai‘i State Department of Education was awarded a School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grant of nearly $2.2 million which provides short-term educational services in Lahainaluna and Kekaulike Complexes after wildfires disrupted learning environments. The grant is one of the largest Project SERV grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education after a natural disaster; and (2) King Kamehameha III Elementary School temporary campus was dedicated on March 25, 2024, the classroom capacity is 600 students. Some classrooms will be used as resource rooms (e.g., art, computer lab, special education) and for Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) education. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided a $53.7 million grant, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the campus in approximately four months.

Meredith Miller and Christina Chapman, United States Department of Education (USDOE) commended the Department for the recovery efforts for Maui schools after the wildfire. She expressed appreciation to the Department for the engagement of administrators who have been generous to share about more education efforts needed and the Project SERV will further assist those efforts. Board Chairperson Haruki expressed appreciation for the efforts from USDOE and noted that the grant is the largest ever received.

Board Member Moriarty asked if there is some advice from USDOE or any best practices that can help others. Miller replied that the connection with senior leadership and excellent communication is impressive and there is an openness to work for federal partners to bring in other resources. She noted that a best practice is the ability to work as a team and across other leadership areas while being open to learning from other areas across the country.

Oyadomari-Chun shared that the USDOE leadership team has shared about mental health issues during lessons learned and FEMA data connections to see which students have been affected. Hayashi expressed appreciation for the constant communication with federal partners.

Supplemental operating and capital improvement project budget requests for fiscal year 2024-2025. Hayashi expressed appreciation that the House draft version includes $38 million more than what was included in the Governor’s draft budget. He shared that there are 62 non-recurring items meaning additional funding is approved for FY 2025 only in areas like electricity, WSF and athletics. He noted that the CIP includes $49 million for project completion and all projects have been reauthorized in the House draft version.

Awards and recognitions for students, employees, and/or schools. Hayashi congratulated the 2022-2023 employees for their outstanding contributions to the students of Hawaii, 2022 Employee of the Year Kelsey Tsuhako Mililani ʻIke Elementary 2022 Manager of the Year Kevin Drake Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihāko‘i-Maui Complex Area 2022 Team of the Year Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area School Support Staff 2023 Team of the Year Kalāheo High School Hoʻokamaʻaina Committee 2023 Employee of the Year Keith “Kane” Rodrigues ʻEwa Beach Elementary; Milken Educators of Hawai‘i’s 2024 Teacher of Promise Moanalua Middle School social studies teacher, Kimberly Kim; and 15 complex area principals were honored with the Masuyaki Tokioka award.

Hayashi recognized Jeff as the 2024 Assistant Principal for Hawaii and one of three finalists across the nation.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on agenda items III.A, III.B, and III.C. No testimony was provided.

IV. Discussion items

“Ed Talk Story” with Hawaii Teachers Standards Board

Note: Board Chairperson Haruki took this agenda item out of order after agenda item VI.A., entitled Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag.

Felicia Villalobos, Executive Director, Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB) shared the mission and vision of HTSB and outlined licensing, audits/reviews, meetings, and organizations that HSTB partners with closely which incorporates data with a national clearinghouse so that misconduct information is shared across states. She clarified the definition of a high-quality educator and shared the approved application data for SY 2023-2024.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No testimony was provided.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse asked if there are any barriers from Board policies. Villalobos replied that she is happy to come back and identify potential barriers.

Board Member Arakaki expressed appreciation for the presentation and stated that HSTB gets a permit before teaching. Villalobos confirmed that teachers need to have a license to teach students.

Board Member Moriarty expressed appreciation for the level of care of HTSB to bring forth innovative thinking on how to get highly qualified teachers here in Hawaii. She asked what she noticed from data on what is missing so that we can gain a sense of what policies are needed and the problems need to be diagnosed to prepare solutions. Villalobos replied that many out of state teachers do not receive the Hawaiian educator certifications.

Board Member Dukelow asked about the approved applicant data relating to the emergency hire permit and student teacher permit. She asked if this amount is typical in a year. Villalobos replied that due to the national teacher shortage this is a typical amount. Dukelow asked if many of those in the program go on to complete their teacher certification. Villalobos replied that a high percentage converts to teacher licenses.

Update on Department actions in response to the final report of the House of Representatives Lahaina wildfire interim working groups

Hayashi updated the Board on the Department’s actions in response to the final report of the House of Representatives Lahaina wildfire interim working groups.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No testimony was provided.

Board Member Dukelow commented that regarding emergency evacuation plans there needs to be community understanding so that parents can understand their role especially in Lahaina to build community awareness. Hayashi stated that the Department will work with the security branch to broadly share information with communities. He expressed strong support that plans be kept confidential to each school.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse asked about what has been done to communicate with the community to address their concerns about the emergency plans. Oyadomari-Chun replied that the Department is aware of ongoing legislation relating to the emergency plans and

Moriarty asked if there are possible board policy implications that are necessary. Oyadomari-Chun replied that not at this time but the Department did need to seek an instructional hour’s waiver from the Board.

V. Committee Reports

Finance and Infrastructure Committee oral report on March 7, 2024

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Kuraya reported that the committee met on March 7, 2024, and received an update on the status of fire alarm systems in our schools. The Committee also reviewed an update on the status of the Department’s capital improvement projects. A suggestion was made for future information to indicate which projects are funded, unfunded, or encumbered, to help
the Board understand which projects will move forward, will be deferred, or will lapse.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No testimony was provided.

Student Achievement Committee oral report on March 7, 2024

Board Member and Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Arakaki reported that the committee met on March 7, 2024, and received a presentation on the economic impacts of pandemic learning loss for school-age children by Dr. Eric Hanushek, Paul & Jean Hann Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. The Committee also reviewed and discussed an update from the Department on strategic plan key performance indicators and academic achievement targets.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No testimony was provided.

VI. Action Items

Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No testimony was provided.

ACTION: Motion to approve the appointment of Brandon Keoni Bunag to the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission to complete the remainder of the term of the mid-term vacancy, which ends June 30, 2026, effective the date of appointment. (Haruki/No second required). The motion was carried through unanimous consent from all members present.

VII. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Haruki adjourned the meeting at 2:56 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting

NAME	Organization	Agenda Item
MariaDonell Thomas		III. Report of the Superintendent
Kristy Kanahele; Hedy Sullivan; Melvin Pahulehua; Charlene Hoe	Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha (KANAKA PCS)	VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Steve Hirakami	Director, Hawaii Academy of Arts & Sciences PCS	VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Katie Benioni	Board Secretary, Lei Hoolaha	VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Noe Goodyear-Kaopua		VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
I Kelling Kahu	Director, Ke Kula O Samuel M. Kamakau	VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Cheri Nakamura	HEE Coalition, Director	V.B. Student Achievement Committee oral report on March 7, 2024
Erin Kahunawai Wright		VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Kauikeolani Naniole		VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Office of Hawaiian Affairs		VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag
Trevor Atkins		VI.A. Board action on findings and recommendations of Investigative Committee (a permitted interaction group pursuant to paragraph 92-2.5(b)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes), investigation relating to nomination of individual to serve as a member of the State Public Charter School Commission: Brandon Keoni Bunag