STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MINUTES

Thursday, October 21, 2021

*The Board did not meet at a physical location. As part of the response to the threat of COVID-19, Governor David Ige issued an Emergency Proclamation dated October 1, 2021, suspending Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92, Public Agency Meetings and Records, to the extent necessary to enable boards as defined in Section 92-2, to conduct meetings without any board members or members of the public physically present in the same location, among other things.


PRESENT:
Catherine Payne, Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Shanty Asher
Kaimana Barcarse
Lyla Berg
Lynn Fallin
Kili Namauʻu
Bruce Voss


EXCUSED:
Kenneth Uemura, Vice Chairperson


ALSO PRESENT:
Kyla Musso, Student Representative
Colonel Michael Minuado, Military Representative
Keith Hayashi, Interim Superintendent, Department of Education
Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Student Support Services, Department of Education
Teri Ushijima, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, Department of Education
Cara Tanimura, Interim Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Strategy Innovation and Performance, Department of Education
Glenn Nochi, Evaluation Specialist, Department of Education
Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian, Hawaii State Public Library System
Mallory Fujitani, Special Assistant to the State Librarian, Hawaii State Public Library System
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Executive Secretary
Lady Garrett, Secretary


  1. Call to Order


Board Chairperson Catherine Payne called the Board of Education (“Board”) General Business Meeting to order at 1:33 p.m.

II. Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2021 Special Meeting, September 16, 2021 General Business Meeting


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


Board Chairperson Payne asked Board members to review the minutes of the Board’s September 2, 2021 Special Meeting and September 16, 2021 General Business Meeting.


Board Member Kaimana Barcarse moved to approve the meeting minutes of the Board’s September 2, 2021 Special Meeting and September 16, 2021 General Business Meeting. Board Member Shanty Asher seconded.


Board Chairperson Payne asked if there were any objections to the motion. No Board Member raised objections, and the motion was carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Board Members Bill Arakaki, Asher, Barcarse, Lyla Berg, Lynn Fallin, Kili Namauʻu, and Bruce Voss).


ACTION: Motion to approve the meeting minutes of the Board’s September 2, 2021 Special Meeting and September 16, 2021 General Business Meeting (Barcarse/Asher). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.

III. Reports of Board of Education (“Board”) Committees, Board Members, and Superintendent


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


Board Member and Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Namau‘u, reported that the Committee approved the proposed Department of Education’s (“Department”) school calendars for 2023-2024 school year and received a presentation on student academic status using universal screeners. She noted that the data was alarming, but the Committee looks forward to the Department’s presentation on its analysis of the data at a future meeting.

B. Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on: Committee Action on recommendation concerning the Department of Education’s Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.


Susan Pcola-Davis, public, acknowledged the hard work from various organizations like HE‘E Coalition for providing continuous input on agenda items, noted the how little time there is to absorb the material the Department provides, and that the committee continues to approve the Department’s requests to fulfill its fiduciary duties.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Voss, reported that the Committee considered the Department’s request for $218.5 million in additional general funds for the supplemental budget and $631 million for capital improvement projects. He stated that the committee expressed concerns on timeliness of the Department’s request and asked that the Department sharpen its budget presentation to further a student-centered plan.

C. Joint Student Achievement and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Report on: Student Achievement Committee and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Action on recommendations concerning Board guidance on the Department’s use of federal funds in the second round of the Education Stabilization Fund’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (“ESSER II”) and in the third round of ESSER funds authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ESSER ARP”)


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.


Susan Pcola-Davis, public, testified that the Department does answer the Board’s questions, recommended that the Department notify parents when posting surveys, and recommended against using School Community Councils (“SCC”) as a proxy for parent voice.


Board Member and Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Namau‘u, reported that the Student Achievement and Finance and Infrastructure Committees approved the proposed Board guidance on the use of ESSER II and ESSER ARP funds. She explained that the guidance includes a three-part framework with an educational plan as the centerpiece, a fiscal plan, and detailed expenditure reporting.

IV. Action Items
I.
II.
III. A. Board Action on Student Achievement Committee and Finance and Infrastructure Committee recommendations concerning Board guidance on the Department’s use of federal funds in the second round of the Education Stabilization Fund’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (“ESSER II”) and in the third round of ESSER funds authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ESSER ARP”)


Board Chairperson Payne stated that the first action item is on the Student Achievement Committee and Finance and Infrastructure Committee’s recommendation concerning Board guidance on the Department’s use of ESSER II and ESSER ARP funds.


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


Board Member and Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Namau‘u, stated that the Student Achievement Committee and Finance and Infrastructure Committee recommended the approval of the proposed Board guidance on the Department’s use of ESSER II and ESSER ARP funds as attached in Exhibit A, including the three-part framework, as outlined in her memorandum dated October 21, 2021.


Board Member Arakaki stated that the guidance document shows commitment from the Department and the Board’s efforts to get input from the Department and collaborate.


Board Chairperson Payne stated that the guidance sets priorities , which will help the Department move forward.


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


ACTION: Motion to approve the proposed ESSER II and ESSER ARP Fund
Guidance as outlined in SAC Chairperson Namau‘u’s memorandum dated
October 21, 2021. (Joint Student Achievement and Finance and Infrastructure Committee/no second required). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

B. Board Action on Student Achievement Committee recommendations concerning Department of Education’s multi-year school calendar (2023-2024 and 2024-2025)


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


Board Member and Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Namau‘u, stated that the committee recommended the approval of the Department’s multi-year school calendars for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.


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


ACTION: Motion to approve the proposed school calendars for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years as outlined in Hayashi’s memorandum dated October 21, 2021. (Student Achievement Committee/no second required). The motion carried with Board Members Arakaki, Asher, Barcarse, Berg, Fallin, Namau‘u, and Voss voting aye.

C. Board Action on Finance and Infrastructure Committee recommendations concerning Department of Education’s supplemental budget for 2022-2023


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.


Mirielle Ellsworth, teacher, testified that the Board ignores public testimony. She commented that a budget is an organization’s values statement because it will put resources towards what it values and stated that there is a lack of oversight of the Department.


Julie Reyes-Oda, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, testified that the Department is requesting $100 million to rebuild its base budget and asked why the Department is asking to fund positions at the state office level and not the school level.


Susan Pcola-Davis, public, asked how the Department will use funds to support performance results, noted that the Strive HI results and current student academic performance are abysmal, and questioned whether the work done last summer was effective.


Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Voss stated that the committee recommended the approval of the Department’s fiscal year 2022-2023 supplemental operating budget and fiscal year 2022-2023 supplemental capital improvement project budgets. He stated that approximately $150 million of the request includes items that the legislature chose not to fund for the upcoming fiscal biennium and recommended engaging with the legislature during the upcoming session to restore funding so that it will free up more ESSER funds to use on addressing learning loss and accelerating student learning.


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


ACTION: Motion to approve $2,290,862,137 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Supplemental operating budget and $631,450,000 for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Supplemental capital improvement projects budget as outlined in Hayashi’s
memorandum dated October 21, 2021. (Finance and Infrastructure Committee/no second required). The motion carried with Board Members Arakaki, Asher, Barcarse, Berg, Fallin, Namau‘u, and Voss voting aye.

D. Board Action on the Hawaii State Public Library System’s supplemental budget for 2022-2023


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


Board Member Barcarse moved to approve the Hawaii State Public Library System (“HSPLS”) supplemental budget for 2022-2023. Board Member Asher seconded.


Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian, stated that HSPLS requests the approval of $39,155,832 in fiscal year 2022-2023 supplemental operating budget and $10,000,000 for supplemental capital improvement projects. She stated that the HSPLS budget was significantly less than in previous years and that staff still had to provide services while facing staffing shortages due to retirements or staff choosing to seek other employment. She noted that this request is seeking an additional $130,000 for the student helper program to help support staff during these difficult times when it has been especially challenging to recruit and hire.


Aldrich explained that over the past year, there has been a rise in violent and destructive behavior towards HSPLS staff so security has become very important. She detailed that there have been instances of patrons spitting, throwing, destroying property, physically attacking staff, and pulling knives on security guards. Aldrich stated that the current security contractor is not providing appropriate staffing and noted that there have been 123 instances in the past six months where the contractor could not provide staffing at libraries, so HSPLS is looking to put out a bid for a new security contractor. She stated that the request includes funds for security systems with cameras for 11 branches that have experienced the most challenges, including, structural damage, slashed tires, and a kidnapping attempt. Aldrich also stated that the additional $150,000 would bring HSPLS’s total budget to $2 million.


Aldrich stated the request includes funds for the HSPLS collection. She explained that HSPLS has used fees it collected for late material, passports, and use of meeting rooms to pay for collection material, but that these fees have decreased significantly in the past two years, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated that she will continue to advocate not to charge students fees, especially for those who cannot afford it.


Aldrich stated that the request for $100,000 includes costs for a traveling janitor van on Hawaii Island to drive between all libraries and to install lifts on neighbor island vans to help with moving library materials. She introduced Mallory Fujitani, Special Assistant to the State Librarian, to detail the request for capital improvement projects.


Fujitani stated that HSPLS will use the capital improvement projects lump sum request of $10,000,000 to provide safe and healthy spaces for patrons accessing resources. She also stated that some of the projects initiated in prior budget years need additional funding in order to make sure the projects are completed on time.


Board Chairperson Payne expressed distress over the increase in violence and destructive behavior taking place at public libraries.


Board Member Fallin expressed appreciation for Aldrich’s rationale for the supplemental budget request, which was very informative. She asked if there are any critical requests.


Aldrich replied that additional staffing and materials are essential. She stated that many positions are still frozen, so the student helpers are critical to keeping libraries open. She noted that collection material is essential because libraries are a resource for the community.


Board Member Voss stated that Aldrich’s detailed recommendation is excellent. He expressed concern that people behave terribly to HSPLS staff and noted that these people need to be caught and punished so that libraries can be the sanctuaries they have always been. Voss asked for clarification on the $150,000 relating to security services.


Aldrich replied that there have been 123 occurrences where no security staffing was provided. She noted that it is hard to find people for these positions and that libraries need a company trained to deal with behavioral issues in a professional way in order to meet the demand for services for our community.


Board Member Voss asked how long it will take before a new company can be selected to provide better security. Aldrich replied that security services will need to go through the procurement process. She stated that previously HSPLS followed an invitation for bid process, which requires it to select the lowest bid. Aldrich stated that this time, HSPLS is planning on putting out a request for proposals, which allows it to select a company. She noted that the process takes at least 6 months.


Board Member Fallin asked if libraries are eligible for pandemic related federal funding. Aldrich replied that libraries received federal funding through a grant to ensure safe spaces. She also stated that HSPLS is using funds for digital literacy and partnering with the Workforce Development Council to upgrade technology in libraries.


Board Member Namau‘u expressed appreciation for the report which was clear and succinct. She asked how other libraries in other districts or states fund additional library materials for their collections. Aldrich shared that libraries across the nation are funded differently and that most libraries use fees to pay for collections.


Aldrich noted that the state needs to support a strong library system. She noted it is challenging to develop revenue-generating services, like passports, because they require existing staff to work on these services instead of serving the community. Aldrich stated that she would like to figure out how to help the legislature understand the importance of the investment in resources so that everyone has access to education, ideas, and learning opportunities.


Board Chairperson Payne called for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye (Board Members Arakaki, Asher, Barcarse, Berg, Fallin, Namau‘u, and Voss).


ACTION: Motion to approve $39,155,832 in fiscal year 2022-2023 supplemental operating budget and $10,000,000 for supplemental capital improvement projects for the Hawaii State Public Library System, as outlined in State Librarian Stacey Aldrich’s memorandum dated October 21, 2021. (Barcarse/Asher). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


E. Board Action on acceptance of grant funds and associated timeline from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and The Learning Coalition for National Association of State Boards of Education Services related to the search and selection of a superintendent, Board strategic planning, process for evaluating the superintendent, and Board professional development


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.


Susan Pcola-Davis, public, testified that the material for this agenda item was posted three days prior to the meeting, that the National Association of School Boards of Education (“NASBE”) is being trusted to assist the Board in selecting a new superintendent that will support schools, families and teachers, and expressed disappointment with the timeline for the selection of a new superintendent.


Julie Reyes-Oda, Nanakuli Intermediate and High School, asked several questions, including: whether the donors get anything in return; whether the donors can influence the superintendent search; whether the donors can withhold payments if not satisfied with the search committee’s work; what the Board’s plan was prior to obtaining the grant; the alternatives if the Board does not accept the grant; and background on the grant.


Mirielle Ellsworth, public, asked about alternatives to acceptance of donor funds and stated that during the previous search, the Board accepted $50,000 to hire Ray and Associates, a search firm that works with the Broad Foundation.


Board Chairperson Payne stated that the Board is a member of NASBE, has received boardsmanship training, and was now awarded a grant to fund future NASBE services. She stated that the proposed timeline would push the selection of the new superintendent to May 2022.


Board Chairperson Payne explained that the Board needs to direct the Department to accept the grant funds totaling $150,000 from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation (“Castle Foundation”) and The Learning Coalition for NASBE services; negotiate any documents necessary to accept the grant funds through the authority delegated to Board Executive Director Alison Kunishige; authorize her and Kunishige to negotiate and execute documents necessary to effectuate the acceptance of grant funds and the NASBE contract; and approve the general timeline for services as outline in Exhibit B, of the memorandum dated October 21, 2021.


Board Member Namau‘u moved to direct the Department to accept the grant funds totaling $150,000 from Castle Foundation and The Learning Coalition for NASBE services; negotiate any documents necessary to accept the grant funds through the authority delegated to Board Executive Director Alison Kunishige; authorize Board Chairperson Payne and Kunishige to negotiate and execute documents necessary to effectuate the acceptance of grant funds and the NASBE contract; and approve the general timeline for services as outline in Exhibit B, of the memorandum dated October 21, 2021.. Board Member Arakaki seconded.


Board Chairperson Payne provided background on the grant and stated that the Board has a very small budget that is usually insufficient to cover the cost of basic Board operations. She stated that any monies received by the Board in the form of a grant need to go through the Department. Board Chairperson Payne stated that the donors will not exert any undue influence on the selection of the candidate. She stated that she pursued grant funding because it was not appropriate for the Board to ask the Department to fund the search.


Board Member Arakaki stated that NASBE’s services will support the Board’s work on understanding its values and creating a new mission, vision, and purpose. He stated that NASBE boardsmanship training was beneficial and helped him understand the Board’s role. Board Member Arakaki stated that Board members need this foundational knowledge so they can support families and students in public education.


Board Member Berg expressed concern with perspectives from national organizations, not only evaluating the superintendent, but also the selection process. She asked what provisions can be integrated into the process to ensure that the Board is not making choices or evaluating a superintendent based on a western model but rather on the Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) model.


Board Chairperson Payne stated that the search committee will form an advisory group made up of community stakeholders and the Board will make significant efforts to engage the community as a part of the search process. She explained that NASBE’s assistance will be at a high level and that the Board needs to do a national search because the Board cannot limit the search to local applicants. Board Chairperson Payne stated that the search process will include the values and qualities the Board is looking for, including Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ). Board Member Berg stated that she would like for Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) to be included in the Board’s professional development.


Board Chairperson Payne emphasized that the donors are not exerting undue influence on the Board and instead is trusting the Board to use their resources to pay for NASBE membership and services, which are critical. She stated that the donors will not interfere in the process.


Board Member Voss stated that as a participant in the previous superintendent search, Castle Foundation did not influence the process and has been a consistent supporter of public education. He stated that the reality is that paying for this with Department funds could potentially divert funds away from student support. Board Member Voss noted that the Board keeps its budget minimal to ensure that as much money as possible is used to directly support students.


Board Chairperson Payne stated that another reason that it is appropriate for the Board to use a grant is because community support is important. She stated that the superintendent position is a servant leader for the whole community. Board Chairperson Payne noted that community assistance with the process is legitimate and valuable and that it is helpful to have others involved in the process.


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


ACTION: Motion to approve the acceptance of grant funds of $150,000 and associated timeline from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and The Learning Coalition for National Association of State Boards of Education Services related to the search and selection of a superintendent, Board strategic planning, process for evaluating the superintendent, and Board professional development
(Namau‘u/Asher). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

V. Discussion Items


Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.


Cheri Nakamura, HE‘E Coalition, testified that the data is sobering, that there is an opportunity to use ESSER funds to bring students back on track, and noted that the Department needs a coherent, logical plan to help all students.


David Miyashiro, HawaiiKidsCAN, suggested that the Board look at existing silos to plan better because the results from universal screeners and Strive HI is troubling but somewhat expected given the challenges. He suggested looking at what is preventing real progress and that one issue is the absence of a statewide strategic plan.


Bianca Antonio, public, stated that her co-parent Paul will speak on the information for the Board to make decisions on child vaccination mandate which will cause catastrophic harm to our community. He asked for an in-person presentation to give details on the information relating to vaccines.


Susan Pcola-Davis, public, noted that the data Department did not provide comparative data and that if the student is not in school, then all the other measures do not matter.


Bea DeRego, public, testified that as a test coordinator the problem with the Department’s presentation is that it assumes things that are not true and explained that she is able to pull student data from before the COVID-19 pandemic, but there has been no opportunity to test middle school students since COVID-19 hit.


Recess from 3:34 PM and reconvened at 3:45 PM


Board Chairperson Payne called on Keith Hayashi, Interim Superintendent and Cara Tanimura, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Strategy Innovation and Performance, to present the school performance results for the 2020-2021 School Year: Strive HI Performance System.


Hayashi stated that the data reflects a downward trend due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that on average 88% of students participated in blended learning or online environments. Hayashi stated that the data would help the Department to form plans for targeted supports and learning loss mitigation strategies to help students get back on track.


Tanimura and Glenn Nochi, Evaluation Specialist presented the 2020-2021 Strive HI measures, which are the annual summative key indicators of student success under the Every Student Succeeds Act (“ESSA”). She stated that public schools administered a shortened version of the test and outlined the COVID-19 pandemic related considerations when assessing Strive HI results.


Tanimura stated that non high needs students had the highest participation rates, but statewide ELA and math show participation rates of 38%. She stated that proficiency decreased in all three academic content areas (ELA, math, and science) with math being most negatively affected. Tanimura stated that the 2021 results dropped from 2019 and the Department selected a percent change metric to show the difference.


Tanimura outlined the chronic absenteeism data by subgroups and noted that students were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic last school year with students scoring lower in math proficiency and growth.


Board Member Voss expressed agreement that an 85% participation rate, while lower than in previous years, is higher than expected and he attributes this participation rate to the efforts made at the school level. He asked why the report was not provided to the Board on a grade-by-grade basis. Tanimura explained that the grade-by-grade analysis will be provided at a future meeting.


Board Member Voss expressed concern with drops in science data, which indicates underlying problems with instructional methods. He asked if the Department identified issues that have led to the disappointing results in math and science. Tanimura replied that the Department cannot compare 2021 results to previous years because it administered a shortened version of the test last school year.


Board Member Voss asked if anyone in the Department can explain why the numbers are so low for math and science. Nochi replied that the results can be compared to previous years although the test was shortened by 40 minutes. He noted that many of the math concepts are more linear than literacy and writing, which is related to some of the impacts.


Teri Ushijima, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design stated that math and science scores are lower than ELA because of the structure of the subject matter. She stated that math builds upon computational skills. Ushijima stated that in 2019, the Department used Smarter Balanced Assessment standards, but in 2021 it used Next Generation Science Standards.


Board Member Voss stated that the numbers are sobering and difficult to accept. He asked what lessons the Department has learned and what will be done to address math deficiencies.


Ushijima noted Board Member Voss’s concerns and stated that the Department is looking at a whole school agreement approach to review how students perform from grade level to grade level, to prioritize areas to focus on, and have coherence on areas and the coaching model to build the content knowledge and strategies used to address skills.


Board Student Representative Kyla Musso asked about chronic absenteeism and whether it is still a significant issue.


Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Student Support Services, stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic it was a struggle to reach students. She noted that everyone needs to work on significant ways to provide opportunities to re-engage students and social environments to get students reconnected. Armstrong shared that the homeless population was especially difficult to reach and the Department’s homeless liaisons tracked attendance.


Board Member Asher stated the Strive HI data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing issues. Board Member Asher expressed understanding that the Department needs to address many factors to get students reconnected to school campuses, but asked about the mechanisms that the Department will put in place for students who are two years behind grade level to ensure this group succeeds. She also asked how much the COVID-19 pandemic affected these students or whether the data shows that these students have always performed poorly. Board Member Asher asked how the Department categorizes students by ethnicity and whether students are counted twice if they are considered Pacific islander and Micronesian.


Nochi replied that students are not double counted when categorized by ethnicity, but there can be duplicate instances where a student falls into more than one category, like a student who requires special needs services and is an English language learner.
Armstrong stated that Dr. Mary Hatorri is working on a translation resource to communicate what students are learning in a language that families can understand. She stated that the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant publishes books that can be translated into Chuukese and Marshallese.


Board Member Arakaki asked how the Department calculated percentages of the 2019 and 2021 proficiency rates. Nochi replied that the formula is at the top of the column ((2021-2019)/2019) and that the proportion shows the difference from the 2019 data.


Board Member Arakaki asked how the Department is going to use the universal screener results, smarter balanced assessment testing, and the Hawaii Multi-Tiered System of Support to pinpoint targeted groups of students with actual interventions to get them on track.


Ushijima replied that the Department only recently released the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (“SBAC”) data to schools and that the universal screener data was administered as early as August when students returned to schools. She stated that the schools use several methods to determine student interventions, including reviewing the universal screener and SBAC data, formative assessments, teacher feedback and informal check-ins with students.


Board Member Fallin asked how the Department is addressing chronic absenteeism and what the Department does to help schools that are not progressing once it identifies that a school is facing chronic absenteeism challenges.


Armstrong replied that to address chronic absenteeism, the Department needs to look at students who are absent and use a data driven decision-making process to find the root causes, such as disinterest, other family matters or health reasons, or because the student does not like schools. She explained that this is where counselors and social workers work hard on the causes and then personalize support to address problems.


Board Member Fallin asked how schools are doing with chronic absenteeism in the current school year. Tanimura replied that as of October 16, 2021, the chronic absenteeism rate is 8.13% and is being monitored. Board Member Fallin asked whether students who are absent due to COVID-19 are considered chronically absent. Tanimura replied that students are tracked and counted as absent, but the data is disaggregated for COVID-19 related absences.


Board Member Fallin asked about other student groups and how these students are doing. Tanimura replied that the attendance data is broken down by ethnicity, such as Micronesian 78%, Native Hawaiian 84.4%, and White 90.72%.


Board Member Fallin asked how many students are chronically absent. Tanimura replied that the Department will provide the overall number.


Board Member Fallin encouraged the Department to track the same level of data this school year so that everyone will know whether what they are doing is working.


Board Member Namau‘u acknowledged that the Strive HI data the Department presented is a good start to see what is happening in schools. She noted that the data is dismal at times, but that honest reporting helps the Board make good decisions and the Department needs to look at root causes for absenteeism (bullying, transportation, situation at home) and develop a strategy of systemic action to help all children in the state.


Board Member Berg left the meeting at 4:45 p.m.


Board Member Namau‘u stated that the Department needs to look at ways to immediately have an impact on children. She asked how the Department would think strategically to help students and to continue to gather data.

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. No one provided oral testimony at this time.


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
Cheryl B. IV.D. Board Action on Hawaii State Public Library System’s supplemental budget for 2022-2023, IV.E. Board Action on acceptance of grant funds and associated timeline from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and The Learning Coalition for National Association of State Boards of Education services related to the search and selection of a superintendent, Board strategic planning, process for evaluating the superintendent, and Board professional development, & V.A. Presentation on School Performance Results for the 2020-2021 School Year: Strive HI Performance System
Angela Mariano IV.E. Board Action on acceptance of grant funds and associated timeline from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and The Learning Coalition for National Association of State Boards of Education services related to the search and selection of a superintendent, Board strategic planning, process for evaluating the superintendent, and Board professional development, V.A. Presentation on School Performance Results for the 2020-2021 School Year: Strive HI Performance System
Cheri NakamuraHE‘E CoalitionV.A. Presentation on School Performance Results for the 2020-2021 School Year: Strive HI Performance System
David MiyashiroHawaiiKidsCANV.A. Presentation on School Performance Results for the 2020-2021 School Year: Strive HI Performance System

VII. Adjournment


Board Chairperson Payne adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.