DRAFT
STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, March 7, 2024
PRESENT:
Warren Haruki, Chairperson
Kaimana Barcarse, Vice Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Kahele Dukelow
Ken Kuraya
Lauren Moriarty
EXCUSED:
Shanty Asher
Makana McClellan
ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Ken Kakesako, OSIP, Department of Education
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”) Special Meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
II. Action Item
A. Board action on School Community Council request for exceptions to the collective bargaining agreements, statutory waivers, and waivers of Board policy
Board Chairperson Haruki called on Board Member Bill Arakaki, and Ken Kakesako, Office of Strategy and Innovation to provide the recommendation on School Community Council (SCC) waivers.
Board Member Arakaki outlined the recommendation to approve the SCC requests for exceptions to the Hawaii State Teachers Association collective bargaining agreement; waivers of Section 302A-251, Hawaii Revised Statutes; Waivers from Board Policy for School Year 2024-2025; and Waivers from Department of Education (Department) regulations.
Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on agenda item III.
Vanessa Ott, a member of the public, testified that the number of waiver requests on page 10 is numerous and this suggests that something is wrong with the system. She requested an agenda item to review the SCC waiver process and expressed support for teachers receiving training without loss to student instructional days.
ACTION: Motion to approve the SCC requests for exceptions to the Hawaii State Teachers Association collective bargaining agreement; waivers of section 302A-251, Hawaii Revised Statutes; waivers from Board policy for school year. (Kuraya/Barcarse).
Board Member Moriarty expressed concern with the amount of requests and the large loss of instructional time for students. She suggested the following (1) what alternatives were pursued instead of taking away instructional time; (2) identify systemic problems and what patterns or systemic problems need to be addressed for example Kindergarten orientation helps but if this is a systemic need then it should not be addressed with waivers for specific schools; and (3) another round of requests will be provided and she would like the memorandum to be clear on who is being granted a waiver and if there is a pattern that needs to be addressed.
Board Member Dukelow stated that waiver days are diverse and include many reasons but this is a tool available to schools for different reasons at different points in time for various initiatives. She expressed support for schools to have flexibility to use this tool if needed but there are items that need to be addressed systematically.
Board Member Arakaki expressed appreciation for the concerns shared by Board Member Moriarty. He clarified that 192 requests referenced on page 10 are from last school year and this round includes 94 with 83 for waiver days including loss of instructional hours. HSTA and HGEA discussed the amount of time for training. He emphasized that schools are working hard to implement the strategic plan that the Board required of our schools that will impact students to make systematic approaches. Kakesako stated that schools are juggling statutory requirements for instance active shooter training takes two days to complete and schools are put in tough positions to keep students safe. He explained that the 21 embedded hours are usually at the end of the day but it does take time for professional development so a solid full day allows teachers time to focus on the subject matter.
Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse stated that waiver days include training to grow and how it will translate back to success for students in the classroom. He suggested that some examples on what is successful be shared with the Board.
Board Member Kuraya stated that schools use it as a necessity to allow schools to decide what types of training is needed.
Board Member Moriarty expressed support for schools to have flexibility; however she is concerned with the number of days and if the issues are being addressed systematically rather than using waivers. She expressed trust in educators but her concerns are on the trends on how the requests are longer than from the past and she would like to find a way to find different solutions to meet what are legitimate days not at the cost of instructional hours.
Board Member Moriarty made a new motion that the round 2 memorandum include information about what alternatives to cutting student instructional hours were pursued and identify systemic problems that can be addressed and clearly identify whether schools requested in round II. Board Chairperson Haruki clarified that the suggestions from Board Member Moriarty can be put into the next SCC round, without a new motion being made at this time.
Hayashi stated that schools put a lot of thought into waivers and the intent is to provide flexibility and an opportunity to make decisions at the closest level of implementation. He urged the Board to continue to support the school requests and this is done thoughtfully with data.
The motion carried with Board Members Arakaki, Dukelow, Kuraya, Barcarse, and Haruki voting aye. Board Member Moriarty abstained.
III. Adjournment
Board Chairperson Haruki adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m.