February 2, 2023

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, February 2, 2023

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
Colonel Michael Minaudo, Military Representative
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, Department of Education
Pono Fernandez, Evaluation Specialist, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Robert Hull, Senior Advisor, National Association of State Boards of Education
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”) Special Meeting to order at 1:31 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 Namauʻu were present.

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

Board Chairperson Voss called for public testimony.

Stephen Schatz, Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, testified on agenda item III, entitled “Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I).” He stated that there is strong alignment between the proposed Hawaii Public Education strategic plan, Hawaii P-20’s attainment goals entitled “Hawaii’s Graduates for Hawaii’s Future”, and University of Hawaii’s (“UH”) strategic plan. He shared that Hawaii P-20 is ready to help with the data analysis

David Miyashiro, HawaiiKidsCAN, testified on agenda item III, entitled “Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I).” He expressed appreciation to the Board for prioritizing community voice and feedback during the development of the strategic plan and stated that he hopes the Board retains the additional core value, “ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hâlau hoʻokahi. (All knowledge is not taught in the same school.)” because it sets the tone and aligns to Goal 1.3.

Susan Pcola-Davis, PTSA member, testified on agenda item III, entitled “Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I).” She expressed concern that safe and healthy learning environments were lost in the development of the strategic plan, shared proposed legislation focused on school safety, stated that she is looking forward to reviewing the key performance indicators (“KPI”), and noted that the phrase Nâ Hopena Aʻo (“HÂ”) should be translated to help families moving to Hawaii understand.

Gianna Pasaoa, member of the public, testified on agenda item III, entitled “Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I).” She stated that she is a second grader at Ewa Elementary School testifying on Goal 1.3.1. Pasaoa emphasized that students should be ready for the world and all students should learn a second language which helps students do better in all subjects, makes it easier to get a job, and helps students learn about other cultures.

Cynthia Bartlett, Moms For Liberty Honolulu, testified on agenda item III, entitled “Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I).” She expressed appreciation for the hard work to develop the strategic plan, asked about critical education which requires looking through a new lens of gender, race and oppression, and cautioned that the Department of Education (“Department”) should carefully consider different socio-emotional learning providers.

David Miyashiro, HawaiiKidsCAN, testified on agenda item V, entitled “Update on draft Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Implementation Plan template (Phase II).” He stated that the success of the strategic plan will come down to the effectiveness of the implementation plan (Phase II), noted that his written testimony lists several concerns relating to the KPIs, and asked how the culture of accountability will be adopted across the system.

Cheri Nakamura, HEʻE Coalition, testified on agenda item V, entitled “Update on draft Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Implementation Plan template (Phase II).” She asked about the Board’s role in the process of developing the implementation plan, asked how the Board can ensure the Department provides actionable data on teacher retention, and emphasized that the current data is insufficient for the Board to formulate a reasonable theory of action.

Susan Pcola-Davis, PTSA member, testified on agenda item V, entitled “Update on draft Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Implementation Plan template (Phase II).” She expressed appreciation for the time that went into the strategic plan, noted that the implementation plan includes communication, expressed support that standing committees will periodically review the progress of the strategic plan, and asked that the Board consider that information be shared at the general business meetings.

Board members received written testimony before the meeting. (A listing of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting is included at the end of these minutes.)

III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)

Board Chairperson Voss stated that the Board has undergone an intense strategic planning process that included comprehensive data reviews, extensive stakeholder outreach with feedback loops, and important conversations about the many opportunities and challenges facing our public education system. He stated that Board Members came to a consensus on a draft strategic plan, which they will consider formally adopting now. He explained that the adoption of the strategic plan completes the first phase of the strategic planning process and the development of an implementation plan is the second phase.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse moved to (1) adopt the Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan, attached as Exhibit A to Board Chairperson Voss’s memorandum dated February 2, 2023, effectively immediately, and (2) authorize the Board chairperson to make non-substantive changes to the format, including finalizing the design. Board Member Kuraya seconded.

Board Member Namau‘u stated that after further consideration and reflection she would like to eliminate the last core value she proposed at the last meeting. She expressed support for the ‘Ôlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian proverb) “ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hâlau hoʻokahi” (All knowledge is not taught in the same school); but it is her opinion that this does not need to be included in the strategic plan. Board Member Namau‘u suggested that the Board revert back to the original set of core values, which is sufficient and aligns to the HÂ framework.

Board Member Namau‘u moved to amend the main motion to remove the last ‘Ôlelo No‘eau from the core values in the strategic plan that reads, “ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hâlau hoʻokahi. (All knowledge is not taught in the same school.)” Board Member Kuraya seconded.

Board Member Fallin requested clarification on the translation of the ‘Ôlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian proverb). Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse asked the Board members to envision drawing a circle clockwise overhead then slowly lower their hands below eye level. He asked whether their fingers were still moving in a clockwise motion after they were below eye level. Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse shared that this exercise shows us how the action can be the same but our personal perspectives to the action changes, which changes what we see. He stated that in Hawaiian thinking, multiple perspectives allow for students to gain additional knowledge to build more skill sets.

Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, invited Pono Fernandez, Evaluation Specialist, Office of Hawaiian Education (“OHE”) to provide additional insight.

Fernandez stated that removing the ‘Ôlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian proverb) “ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hâlau hoʻokahi. (All knowledge is not taught in the same school.)” does not preclude the involvement of the community. She emphasized that the core values chosen for the strategic plan have community embedded in them because they describe relationships in the school system and the community and that community is at the core of all of the core values. Fernandez shared that since the Board started discussing including these core values, OHE has seen an increase in requests for support from schools on the HÂ framework.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse stated that the ‘Ôlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian proverb) “ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hâlau hoʻokahi. (All knowledge is not taught in the same school.)” is incorporated in a lot of the work being done and expressed support for its removal to ensure alignment with HÂ, which will be better for the entire system.

Board Member Arakaki expressed appreciation for the explanation relating to the core values and expressed interest in learning more about ‘Ôlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian proverb) in the future.

Board Chairperson Voss called for a roll call vote on the subsidiary motion to amend the main motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Vice Chairperson Barcarse and Board Members Arakaki, Asher, Fallin, Kuraya, Moriarty, and Namauʻu).

Hayashi asked if the strategic plan applies to all public schools, including charter schools. Board Chairperson Voss explained that the Board does not have direct jurisdiction over charter schools, although the basic principles would apply.

Board Member Namau‘u stated that the next phase or implementation plan does not include the charter schools, so the strategic plan only applies to the Department.

Board Chairperson Voss stated that he is hopeful that charter schools would embrace the concepts in the strategic plan and invited Hayashi to share his thoughts. Hayashi replied that his interpretation is that the strategic plan will include charter schools as the Board oversees education statewide.

Board Member Moriarty stated that Hawaii State Constitution grants the Board the authority to formulate statewide educational policy and at a statewide level the Board has authority to formulate policy, although it may be exercised differently both legally and in practice. She stated that the Board appoints commissioners to the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission (“Commission”). Board Member Moriarty stated that the Board needs to figure out a systematic plan to address the largest share of students, who are in Department schools, and noted that when the process began there was an understanding that the Board could not create strategic plan covering all attached agencies in one period. She also expressed interest in having a legal review on whether it is the duty of the Board to have a strategic direction in place for all of the attached agencies.

Tammi Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, stated that the comments relating to the Board’s role are correct in relation to charter schools because the Board appoints commissioners who authorize charter schools and the Board handles charter school appeals. She stated that if the strategic plan covers all schools, including charter schools, then the Department would be looking at different implementation steps relating to reporting on statewide progress. Chun noted that the Department shares the results of the Strive HI Performance System (“Strive HI”) for all schools, including charter schools. Chun explained that the federal government views the Department as a single statewide education system and federal reporting requirements, which is what Strive HI is, would impact charter schools irrespective of the strategic plan.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse stated that if the strategic plan applied to charter schools, it would have been created so everyone valued and understood that charter schools operate differently. He also expressed support that charter schools receive appropriate resources.

Chun stated that charter school funding is tied to the Department and that additional resources are provided to charter schools for key initiatives. She asked what the Board’s expectation would be in terms of strategies for the implementation plan to determine resource needs.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse stated that although charter schools receive a portion of funds for their schools it is not enough to accomplish everything necessary. He stated that if the Board was holding the charter schools to the strategic plan then the Board would have invited charter schools to discussions during the development of the strategic plan.

Board Chairperson Voss stated that the Board does not want to dictate anything for charter schools and noted that this is a question of balance. He asked if it is the Department’s expectation that Priority 1, should apply to charter schools. Chun confirmed that, in principle, Priority 1 should apply to charter schools, but in terms of implementation some areas need to be considered because charter schools do not collect data in the same way.

Board Chairperson Voss asked if charter schools would have the same KPIs for Priority 1. Chun replied that the Department would like the KPIs to be the same, but in some cases charter schools have not been included so there is a data collection burden that would be placed on the schools. She suggested that the Department come back to the Board when discussing KPIs to include potential impacts if charter schools are included.

Board Chairperson Voss noted that several of the goals in Priority 2 and Priority 3 do not apply to the charter schools. Chun replied that the current wording for some of the priorities does not apply to charter schools since it refers to the Department and School Community Councils. She also noted that there may be a different set or measures that would apply to charter schools for these priorities in the same routines.

Board Chairperson Voss stated that a lot is determined by the implementation plan and the Board will not micromanage the specifics. He echoed comments from Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse regarding discussions with charter schools for a shared understanding. Chun replied that it is important to be explicit in terms of the expectation because this determines the amount of engagement in the planning process. She noted that if the Board would like charter schools involved, this would determine engagement relating to KPIs but the Department would not develop strategies for charter schools.

Board Chairperson Voss stated that it is not the Board’s role to dictate to charter schools and this topic deserves further discussion throughout the implementation process. He reiterated comments from Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse that the charter schools should be involved if charter schools were going to be held to the KPIs in some way.

Board Member Moriarty expressed support to involve charter schools in the appropriate places to provide feedback to the Board. She noted that discussions relating to Priority 2 and Priority 3 should be addressed appropriately.

Board Chairperson Voss called for a roll call vote on the amended main motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Vice Chairperson Barcarse and Board Members Arakaki, Asher, Fallin, Kuraya, Moriarty, and Namauʻu).

ACTION: Motion to (1) adopt the Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan, attached as Exhibit A to Board Chairperson Voss’s memorandum dated February 2, 2023, with an amendment to remove the last ‘Ôlelo No‘eau from the core values, effectively immediately, and (2) authorize the Board chairperson to make non-substantive changes to the format, including finalizing the design. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

Board members expressed appreciation to Robert Hull, Senior Advisor, National Association of State Boards of Education (“NASBE”), for his work in the process of strategic plan development.

Hull congratulated the Board for the action it has been able to take and expressed appreciation to the Board and the Department’s staff for the work. He stated that the Board has a roadmap which was done in strategic and deliberate ways which included listening to the community to develop a plan by the people and for the people.

IV. Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items

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

V. Update on draft Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Implementation Plan template (Phase II)

Board Chairperson Voss stated that at the January 19, 2023 Special Meeting, Board members reviewed and were asked to provide feedback on a draft implementation plan template. He explained that the Board and Department came to consensus on several important understandings that were memorialized in his memorandum to provide guidance in the Department’s development of the implementation plan and the Board’s review of the Department’s work in relation to strategy expectations, internal work documents, single implementation plan, and focused Board agendas. He also explained that he is proposing changes to the communication plan and asked Board members to come to a consensus on the communications plan.

Hull stated asked that Board members review the latest edition of The State Education Standard, which is the NASBE journal, specifically, the article on page 13, entitled “Roadmap to Excellence Strategic Planning for State Boards.” He explained that the article lays out theory and gives the Board a sense of what was done well with its strategic plan and includes reminders about the implementation work. Hull reiterated that the Board has the power of policy, power of the question, and power of convening. He suggested that the Board lean into its full potential to be the convener, questioner, and catalyst to solve things together. He also stated that the Board should look at district plans that provide high quality examples on how to proceed with the implementation plan.

Hayashi asked for clarification in the communication plan and whether the Board should send messaging to principals to be distributed to families and referenced the table where it stated that the Department’s Communications Office would communicate with families by “[c]ommunicate Strategic Plan using messaging developed by the Communications Office and approved by the Board Chairperson and distributed to principals with instructions to distribute to families and distribute messaging via social media[.]” Board Chairperson Voss asked for clarification on who will serve in this distribution role, if not principals. Hayashi asked whether the Board is the body who should direct school principals. Board Chairperson Voss replied that the Board will not direct principals. Hayashi asked that the word be changed from “principals” to “school personnel” to avoid any misunderstandings.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse asked who at the schools is responsible to ensure that information is shared with the community. Hayashi replied that it would be the Department’s responsibility to work with respective schools to ensure correct information is distributed. Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse emphasized the importance of sharing timely and accurate information with communities.

Board Member Fallin asked about the communications plan and if there is any content included in the implementation plan. She stated that there should be clarity on where and how the communication plan might be implemented to give information about who, what, when, and where in the implementation process.

Hayashi stated that communication to the schools is the Department’s responsibility and timely information needs to be distributed.

Board Member Fallin noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic a lot of struggles happened relating to communication, but the lessons learned can help to detail what would help the system since this is the key to success. She stated that there is a difference in reporting what the Department is doing versus the impacts being made in schools.

Hayashi stated that the Department will be reporting out aggregately in terms of successful strategies.

Board Member Fallin stated that she would like the reporting to relate to what is being done in the schools and the relative impacts. She emphasized that it is important to improve outcomes and results to embody who is doing what at the school level.

Hayashi replied that schools are implementing data-driven systems to look at strategies and monitoring student progress over time to identify and expedite student growth. He stated that this type of information can be shared with the Board in the future.

Board Member Fallin stated that this information should also be shared with parents and various stakeholders. She expressed support for the community to think about the impacts on what is being done at the school level.

Board Member Moriarty stated that the communications plan should be developed from a public perspective and that the public cares about the impact. She noted that if most KPIs are defined by outcomes, the key is to figure out if the system is changing to lead to the outcomes. Board Member Moriarty stated that the Department needs to diagnose problems accurately, review the research, do an analysis, and tell the Board what is happening and why the Department is suggesting a KPI or strategy. She noted that the Department would need to broadly track each understanding the theory of change behind each outcome so that if something changes in the problem, the Department can adjust its strategy or KPI. Board Member Moriarty noted that not all measures would be collected by the Department since other entities, like P-20 may be collecting data that provides insight, so the Department does not need to duplicate efforts.

Board Member Arakaki asked for clarification regarding the Board and the Department’s communication plan and whether the messaging is developed by the Department then approved by the Board Chairperson. Board Chairperson Voss stated that this is accurate.

Board Member Arakaki asked Hayashi for his thoughts on how this might affect the Department. Hayashi expressed confidence that the Department would be able to develop the communication for the strategic plan.

Board Member Arakaki asked for understanding of the implementation plan areas that Board staff would be working on and whether the Board has enough resources to fulfill these expectations. Board Chairperson Voss provided some examples of areas Board staff would be working on, which included Goal 3.2, Desired Outcome 3.2.1, which requires that all Board policies and decisions advance the strategic plan. He stated that as part of this work, the Board would need to review its policies to ensure alignment with the strategic plan and ensure all agenda items advance the strategic plan.

Board Chairperson Voss noted that Hayashi would determine strategies for Department-specific goals, but that the Board needs to see these proposed strategies early in the development process. He asked when the Department intends to present strategies to the Board and asked whether the Department would deliver this information in a phased manner. Chun replied that the Department is working on a timeline where the Department would present a proposed draft in April followed by approval in May. She stated that she would expect to provide the Board with KPIs first, then desired outcomes with metrics, and then strategies in a full draft by April.

Board Member Kuraya left the meeting at 3:19 p.m.

Board Chairperson Voss noted the sequencing of KPIs, outcomes and metrics, then strategies. Chun stated that she would like to share information with the Board relating to the measures to show the growth measures being looked at in the implementation plan.

Board Member Kuraya returned to the meeting at 3:24 p.m.

Chun stated that the Department would like to have the opportunity to come to the Board a couple of times to discuss the KPIs. She asked if the Board would like a shorter targeted list or longer list of efforts.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse left the meeting at 3:25 p.m.

Board Member Fallin asked whether metrics include relevant learning for the classroom teacher and the system. Chun replied that when looking at the system, the Department would look at schools making progress in teaching students to read and would measure effects using end of the school year assessments.

Board Vice Chairperson Barcarse returned to the meeting at 3:29 p.m.

Chun stated that teachers can be informed by statewide assessments, but the expectation is that teachers are doing academic assessments throughout the school year.

Board Member Falling expressed concern that the Board is paying attention to one aspect while schools are paying attention to another and emphasized that there needs to be a strong alignment and connection between what each level is focusing on.

Chun stated that one of the presentations the Department would like to provide to the Board is on the academic planning process to demonstrate what that process looks like and how the complex area superintendents interact with the process.

Board Member Fallin encouraged the Department to move in this direction and acknowledged that it is not always going to be clear. She stated that there should be an outcome-driven system in place, even if connections cannot be made for every decision. Board Member Fallin asked about real-time data versus the timing of the reports and noted that statewide assessment data is presented to the Board in the Fall, but schools academic and financial plans are well in progress by that point. She encouraged Chun to inform the Board about the best timing to report annually because it gives the Board the sense of where the system is going.

VI. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Voss adjourned the meeting at 3:37 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting

NAME	Organization	Agenda Item
Susan Pcola-Davis		III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)
Hawaii State Literacy Coalition		III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)
Cheri Nakamura	HEʻE Coalition	III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)
Stephen Schatz	Hawaii P-20	III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)
David Miyashiro	HawaiiKidsCAN	III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I); & V. Update on draft Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Implementation Plan template (Phase II)
David Lassner	University of Hawaii, President	III. Board Action on Hawaii Public Education 2023-2029 Strategic Plan (Phase I)