It's it's not like you're telling us months in advance. You're telling us like two weeks before, one week before and they call us, right? And so we're frustrated. So we're telling you assistant superintendent, we need to fix this, right? And so to give me that answer, I don't buy it. >> So I know you're addressing a three-year concern. So, this is a six-year trend going down and it's upswing after this past year. >> I understand you didn't listen to the first part, though. You have to be looking at when you do the next bus renewal. >> You're talking about after the this contract that we have right now. >> That's right. What do you have in your back pocket if they do the same thing to you that they're like, "Oh, yeah. Of course, we're going to do this." They get the contract and then they don't deliver.
What are you going to do then? >> So, I know the concern is that they're not fulfilling the contract, right? Which is a concern. I think on the bigger scheme of it, that's a concern from us also and we're not we're not condoning that, but in the bigger picture, the big concern is there's a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. You know, >> we we heard that how many times we're asking you what do you need? And if you're going to tell us nothing, I'm very concerned. >> So, we don't need >> because the last we had the other bill which was to then give grants. You said no, right? It got deferred. >> We're trying this. And if you tell us no on this and you just want status quo, there's probably going to be problems next year. >> Well, status quo is not status quo cuz something did change last year and it's it's promoting results.
>> That's just it. I'm telling you, it did not work in my community, right? And I'm talk we're talking about neighbor island communities. We're talking about also the big island, right? We still have problems. So why you're telling me that you're okay with not doing anything? I am very very concerned. No, we're we're not not doing anything. And I think for a specific routes, it has gotten better on on every island. In fact, for specifically for your area, Senator, I think from Maui, >> last year, we were short >> 28 W and now we're short two. >> I All right. You know the story of what I had to do at the beginning of this school year. So, don't give me that with the problems of all the Hawaiian immersion kids, right? That was on you guys. So, if you guys if you don't feel that you you want to work on something to bring us, which I I met with you guys early on as soon as that incident happened, this was the bill that you guys brought and now you don't want it.
Something's wrong. >> Sorry, did you clarify? We brought this bill. >> The DO I asked the DOE after the meeting. You were there on what bill? What do you need to fix this problem? And this is the bill that was that was presented to us. >> Okay. Sorry, I don't recall proposing this plan. >> Okay. Well, maybe you need to go talk to the DOE leadership and get on the same page and figure out >> what we need to do with this bill, right? And so we can actually do something about the bus situation. We will I I think my my concern with the bill in in forcing compliance on the contractors right now because of the efforts that they're doing and just to share some of the specific efforts that they're doing in addition to the financial incentives is given the shortage what some of them are doing is um they're subcontracting other uh tour buses to fulfill certain routes.
So one of our contractors >> That's right. which we approved last year. >> Right. So, some of them are still paying for that, which I think I'm concerned about the the daily fines aspect. >> I understand. But if you're not going to fulfill the routes, then something has to happen. Some people need to be scared that if they don't fulfill the routes, there is going to be a penalty. >> So, the the amount that they're investing to cover those routes is more than the fine. So, they're already working with us to try to fulfill these routes. >> I understand. But there are people who are still without buses. >> I understand. >> Right. So until we fix that solution, I don't think the legislature is going to be happy with this with us not continuing the pressure to make sure that all those bus routes get restored.
>> Correct. And that's our goal too is to have all of them restored. >> Right. So we want to give you the tools and if you're saying you don't want the tools, that is very very concerning. >> I think it's the it's the approach is what we have a hard time with. >> Okay. So if you don't like the approach, then give us an approach, but we want a bill. >> I don't Well, I'm just figure it out. Hopefully with the chair's indulgence, we'll pass this along. But I'm I'm hoping that you guys can figure out what you need and come back. >> Wait till Wednesday. We'll defer this measure and wait through Wednesday so we can put the amendments in that you will come up with. >> All right. Thank you, chair. >> Thank you. No other questions. Thank you very much. Okay. Here we go.
So we are on Senate Bill 3334. This is uh relating to education. Repeals the complex area superintendent position. clarifies that the school community council shall submit principal evaluation to superintendent of education who shall have final authority to appoint principal requires department of education to adopt rules. Uh first on the agenda we have Keith Aayashi from department of education in opposition. Good afternoon, Chair Kedani, Vice Chair Kim, Kim, I'm sorry, Senator K, Chair Kedani, Vice, No, Chair Kim, >> Chair Kim. >> Okay, three times a charm. I'll start over. >> Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani, and Senator Hashimoto. I'm Heidi Armstrong, Department of Education. The department stands on its written testimony in opposition of this measure. Um, eliminating the complex area superintendence would dismantle the regional leadership structure credited with driving academic gains resulting in a loss of critical oversight, operational stability and support for school principles.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. >> Thank you. Appreciate your brevity. Uh, we have Hawaii State Board of Education, Buoie Hello comments. >> Thank you so much. Um, hello Chair Kim, Vice Chair Gidani, and Senator Hashimoto. I am Bill Aaraki, vice chair of the board of education. The board stands on his testimony offering comments on this measure and we strongly believe having complex area superintendent leadership within our communities is very important to support the schools staff, students, parents, and partners.
Uh thank you so much and if you have any questions, let me know. >> Thank you. Okay, I'm going to go to the people on Zoom right now. Uh starting off with Akawi Asin. Are you >> not present on Zoom? Chair. >> Okay. Not present. Um we have uh Germaine Meyers >> also not present. >> Not present. Okay. Both were in support. We have Corey Takakei on Zoom in opposition. Corey. >> Good afternoon. Vice Chair, Chair, and members of the committee. My name is Corey Takakei, and I'm a high school principal on Hawaii Island. I'm here in opposition to SB 3334. As a sitting principal on Hawaii Island, I want to share what this proposal looks like from the school level. Having a complex area superintendent who understands our complex, our feeder patterns, and our community context provides critical instructional leadership and operational support. Removing that layer would not streamline the system.
I believe it would reduce responsiveness and create greater instability. I also want to emphasize that as a neighbor island complex, we already operate on limited resources and with less immediate access to central office support. The cash structure provides contact uh context specific leadership that understands the geographic and staffing realities that we face. Eliminating that support would widen inequities between Oahu and Outer Island schools and create more instability where consistency and strong leadership is essential. Regarding the principal evaluation and selection, I believe that clear systems already exist and the CISA evaluation process is already in place with collective bargaining. Uh principal selection procedures are also already in place. uh from the perspective of someone responsible for the daily operation and long-term success of a high school community, I believe that this bill would reverse progress rather than strengthen our system. So, I respectfully urge you to oppose SB 3334.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. >> Thank you. Uh Gary Kamorei. >> Hello, chair and members. Uh my name is Gary Kamorei. a product of Maui public schools, a parent of current public school students, and the principal of Pukalani Elementary School. Uh I am writing in personal opposition to SP 3334. Uh I served as a principal of Princess Nahana and uh in LA during the wildfires where twothirds of my students and one-third of my staff lost their homes. My CAS, Dr. Rebecca Winky and BKKM Cass Caz Des provided the leadership we needed uh to survive really. Even though even though Dr. Winky lost her own home in the fire. Uh she and Casides never stopped leading our complexes. Together they managed the coordination between FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, uh work that's way far beyond the capacity of any school um any of our schools.
They're pretty much a vital extension of the state superintendent's leadership. And I feel like without this bridge, a principal is forced to choose between navigating all the bureaucracy or being present in their schools. So I urge you to maintain that current structure of our school's support. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Richard Krosos. >> Richard, are you on? >> They're on Zoom chair, but it seems like they're unavailable at the moment. >> Okay, we'll go to late Zoom. Alan Kumalai >> not present on Zoom. Chair >> not present on Zoom in support. Okay, we shall move on. We have uh Corey Allen in person from Nimmitz. Welcome. >> All right. Uh dear Madam Chair and committee members, the average size of a school district in the United States serves roughly 5,000 students. For comparison's sake, superintendents of these school districts serve a collection of schools or communities that our complex area superintendent serve.
However, our numbers outweigh the average significantly. As a principle in the DOE, my one school of 575 students exists in one complex which consists of seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This complex exists in a complex area of roughly three middle schools, three high schools, and between 10 to 11 elementary 10 to 15 elementary schools. This implies that whoever leads the complex area oversees over 10,000 students conservatively. Should this bill pass, these numbers would multiply at least two to threefold in regards to the responsibility a district superintendent would have to take on. If your bill claims to lessen the administrative burden of the department, then it is misguided. As a principal of the Hawaii Department of Education, I stand opposed to this bill. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joseph Pasantino. Hope I said that correctly. >> Yes, ma'am. Pastantino. >> Aloha.
My name is Joe Pasantino. I'm the principal of your neighbor middle school, Kaylee Kani Middle School, right down the street. I stand before you today not just as a principal, but as an educator who has dedicated over 20 years of my life to Hawaii's public schools. As a teacher, a vice principal, and now a principal. I'm here to speak strongly and personally in opposition of Senate Bill 3334. Every single day in our schools is a challenge. Some days it's a child in crisis. Some days it's a parent who is hurting and frustrated. And some days it's staffing shortages, safety concerns, or serious instructional needs. Many of the many of those days, it all happens at once. Through every one of those moments, my complex area superintendent has been my lifeline. She is not just an administrator. She is my direct support, my coach, my problem solver, and the person I turn to when decisions are heavy and the stakes are high.
over our Cass oversees 29 schools. Yet, she still answers my calls, responds to my emails, and shows us when schools need help. When a crisis happen, I don't have time to wait through layers of bureaucracy. I need leadership. I need guidance. I need someone who understands schools and stands with us. And that is exactly what the Cass does. So, when I hear this proposal to eliminate the position, my honest question is, who will help when a student is in danger? Who will help step in when a parent situation escalates? and who will guide us through legal staffing and instructional challenges that happen every single day. Cuz eliminating CAS does not eliminate the problems in our schools. It only eliminates the support. After 20 years in education, I tell you with certainty that this job is harder than it has ever been. Our students have greater needs.
Our families are under more stress and our staff are exhausted and doing their best to hold it together. The cat is the glue that holds >> leadership together across schools. I love my school. I love my students. I love this profession and I'm in opposition of Santa Fe quickly. >> Thank you. >> Sorry to interrupt chair. We have Mr. Carroso on Zoom available. >> Oh, okay. We'll go back to Zoom. Please proceed. >> Aloh our chair and members of the committee. My name is Richard Kamaroso and I am the principal of La Hina High School and I am here today to strongly oppose Senate Bill 334. In the wake of the Lahina Luna fires, uh the complex area was superintendent was not just an administrator but she was a vital lifeline principles, our schools, our students and our families. The Cass acted as a link and a buffer between the many organizations be it FEMA, MIMA, EPA, private donors, the media involved in the recovery as well as a critical connection between us and the crucial state support we needed.
Removing the cast position seems to be about the size and structure of the complex area system. But I believe that as it currently stands, it is perfectly designed to allow for local agility and responsiveness. And most importantly, it fosters close trusting relationships between the Cass and the principles, which I believe was the most important factor for our schools responding in a time of crisis. The trile system was designed specifically to act in the way it did after the line of fires. And for these reasons, I strongly oppose SB 3334. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you very much. Um we do have Alan Kumalai who was on Zoom but they're here in person and Mrs. Kumalai would want to um testify. So yes, please. >> Aloha. >> Can you identify yourself? >> Yes. >> My name is Lynette Kumalai. I am a Khalif Valley resident and I'm also a volunteer at the Kaibai Elementary School.
Uh my husband and I also serve in the SEC, school committee council. I am writing in strong support of SB 3334 and to share concerns about how school leadership is currently set up based on on what I have seen in my beloved Khali district. The Department of Education has too many layers of bureaucracy and the higher up decisions are made, the more disconnected leadership can feel from students and families. This has been clear in the way the Cass overseeing schools in my district operates. Oversight issues and administrative decisions often come from a narrow point of view including facing people in leadership roles roles like principles who are friends instead of responding to person who can best lead the school and has an understanding of the community where the students reside and who can relate to the students and faculty. Hiring the wrong person has led to retirements and loss of teachers and administrators.
Repealing the Cass position could help by bringing accountability closer to the school level. Right now, the superintendent does not have a clue as to what the Cass is doing and is totally disconnected from what is going on in the schools. In my experience, principles are deferring many decisions to the Cass who does not have a strong understanding of the students and families being affected. >> Can I ask you to summarize if you can? Can you summarize please? Um basically um coming from Kalihi res um attending schools Khalikai Kalakawa Farington I always felt a sense of belonging and pride and it really saddens me when I talk to students um who tell me they don't feel like they belong or they don't feel you know that they are their culture is being embraced and so I feel like um one of the most concerning effects is the disconnect.
Okay. >> So, I hope that you know by support of this bill that we can make it better for the kids and they want to come to school and feel good about themselves. >> Thank you for letting me appreciate you being here. Thank you, >> Tim. Hosoda. >> Good afternoon, chair, vice chair, senator. Um, my name is Tim Hosa, principal PWA Elementary School and I'm uh writing or testifying opposing this bill. Uh, I speak to you not only as the principal, but I also worked in the state office the past two years from 2023 to 2025 and I can tell you from working in the state office, executive leadership is very busy and they do not have the capacity to take on the role of 258 schools and all the uh daily demands that go with it. Uh just for an example, one of the situations that I recently had to deal with, I had to reach out to my Cass late on a Friday night and she was responsive.