And I can remember the first day. I like to say that I'm old school. I I do not have electronics in our school. I choose not to have iPads. 100% social interaction. I always tell my parents, you will get the academics per se. Of course, we have academics at our preschool, but you will get the academics when you go to the big school, when you go to kindergarten. In preschool, I really feel it's just the values, respecting adults. So I know s I can talk forever but if you want to visualize it in preschool think about it as planting the seeds in our children. I know there's a lot of money out there and actually thank you. There's actually been a lot of money invested from the federal and state government for preschool open doors. Thank you so much. That has brought in a lot more families.
So I can I cannot thank you enough. Please continue to fund that because I would say only about half of our children still attend preschool. But you know what? There's actually some people that get funding, but they don't even attend. So that's that's a whole different issue. Whole different issue. Um, but there's still a lot of children out there, you know, they just choose the grandparents choose to watch our kids. But we have to educate the parents probably from prenatal the value of education especially today. But again, just thank you. Um, sorry I'm talking too long, I know, but just being on the board, I can give that as as Eco said, the day-to-day um, realities and I think I'm the only one that is a community-based uh, preschool director to give that input, which I think is invaluable to the board. >> Cheryl, thank you.
You got me at your questionnaire. >> I especially enjoyed um, >> your number 4A. Uh, and I'm going to read out one of the lines in there. It says, "I hear from many teachers today of all levels that parents solely rely on teachers to teach their children." >> I've been saying that that, you know, now we have preschools at at three years old or two years old, drop the kids off and then pick them up when they're 12th grade. >> Yeah. Oh, no. Yeah. And and that is troubling because and we have um >> allowed this you enabled this right and I and I've said this to the DOE when they keep uh agreeing to take on things that are not uh academic related and that taking care of every other thing. And I said once once this is allowed and enabled then people feel that that it's okay.
Right. Right. you know, and they they feel entitled to all of those things and that they don't have to wake up in the morning, take their kids. I have a school in my district where um advocates are saying, you know, um you can't close the school down. It's a small K through three um school u because the parents come home and they're sleeping, they're working at night, they're sleeping, and the kids go to school and they don't brush their teeth or wash, you know, their face and the teachers brush their hair for them. I said, "But that's not the job of the teachers." But that, like you said, it's this and once you do it, then you're expected to do it. And then we're seeing the rise of community schools, which says schools shouldn't just be there for academics. It should be for the whole child.
Well, again, that's the families should be providing the care for the whole child. The schools should be focusing on academics. And that's the other problem that we're having, right? because the teachers shortage is not only because of the pay, it's the conditions and it's the responsibilities that they have >> and it's only growing today. >> So I I really enjoyed >> Thank you. >> come from this point of view that I think more and more we have to impress that the families need to be included. The parents need to be part of the child's welfare >> at the school as well as outside of the school. Yes. >> And it begins with you and >> yes it does. >> Okay. With that and the court. >> Yes. Thank you so much. Uh yeah, I was uh very intrigued by your questionnaire. Um the answer to question number eight, if reappointed, what would be your top priorities for the next term and what outcomes would you want uh the early learning system to achieve?
And you highlighted as special needs to be that top priority amongst many I'm sure. Uh so are has the DOE been collaborative to work with you folks as far as data is concerned or um as how we can implement any kind of policies that would help to identify this a little bit early on. Um so uh I'll go ahead and have you answer what you believe to be the solution to that because I think we have to address it sooner rather than later now. >> Oh no, thank you. And if I may, I think I'd like to put on my preschool director hat more on this answer. I would say it's very inconsistent depending what school you're working with. Um, in terms of that, uh, obviously I'm not going to name names or anything, but I wish there was consistency in how we help the families.
And in terms of special needs, I know there's a huge spectrum, right? It could be from speech delay all the way to autism. So, it's super huge. But what I can tell you and um what I've heard is that there is a limit per se or maybe each school may be limiting how many they take in which they I heard was is not what they're supposed to do. They should be able to service all children based on you know how many there are yeartoear. Uh if you're okay, first of all, if you're autism, for those that don't know, there's different federal funding and needs for that. So if you're autistic, wonderful, they're getting the help. But it's everyone below that ADHD, speech delay, um developmental delay. I feel we are getting no support becau because they are not how should I say uh they do not have enough qualifications to be accepted at this at the special um education degree level but yet they're not able to I would fully function in at a regular preschool setting and back in the day there was uh more state so I don't know the name of the early office that uh gave that assistance but basically there's no free support um anymore for the children.
Um there's early learning I think up until 3 so sorry from 3 to 5 there's zero support for the families and most families they're not going to pay out of pocket. We they don't have the money for private therapy and if they can't get into special ed there's this huge number of children who are getting no support. So basically um they'll get co um I guess caught um when they go to kindergarten and maybe they'll get the support there if they don't fall through the cracks. >> Sorry it's sorry it's a difficult answer but I feel they're not getting the support. >> Thank you. And I do have a followup to that but thank you for answering but um in regards to the teacher shortage right so the special needs teacher is just a little bit different. um are you finding that to be a hard find or a hard recruit uh to recruit teachers?
>> So for our preschool, we do not take in special needs um specifically and I do say that's because it is a you know you need special degree and certification for that. Um I believe that is probably one of the reasons why the DOE quote unquote you know bring you know I guess accepts a certain number. Um, yeah. I mean, I hate to say go. >> So, definitely staffing. Staffing. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, the ones that are not being accepted because they have special needs, where would they go? >> Um, so honestly, I I still accept them and we do our best. I actually uh hire more staff, you know, to support that. I can't say that all preschools would will do that um because it is more cost to us. Uh we do our best to work with the families That's all I can say and we just Yeah, we just do our best.
>> Thank you. That's uh more than that's more than I can say for some, but I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Here is your preschool. >> Oh, in Pearl City. >> In Pearl City. Yeah. You guys hear that? Public. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Senator Hashimoto. >> Thanks for being here and for your willingness to serve. You know, I I think >> I do want to bring up one thing. I know you know the staff at you know yoyo knows that this is something that really bothers me and I want you to to make sure that you have a role in this. So essentially, you know, we have preschool open doors and then we have our DOE public prek program, right? And I think what has really bothered me is the low enrollment in preschool open doors, right? And in terms of the taking advantage of all the funding that we have available and there's a big balance left and so last year we ended up I think or maybe two years ago we ended up expanding >> who who qualifies for preschool open doors.
So so there's broader eligibility. But I think there to me eel has to be involved in the coordination of where are these people going right because there's two distinct qualifications right I think preschool scope indoors I think there's a broader application now we're targeting more middle class people we up the you know the qualifications of how much you can earn yell I think is or I think the prek I think is is a little bit lower uh in terms of what what for qualification in terms of income >> so I think in terms of what your role is at the board I would hope that you guys take a more you know hands-on approach in trying to direct where all these people are going because I think in the past essentially we've just left seats unfilled because we there is no coordinated effort on where these people should be going based on your income levels to ensure that all the seats are filled right so I think the lower income folks are going to one program even though really what we should be directing higher income people to a certain program and so I don't know what your thoughts are on this but I think to me like I if our goal really is to fill all the seats.
I'm not sure we're there. And I think we need, you know, to me EOL should be like at the forefront of trying to lead to figure out, okay, we need to all work together. We at least should coordinate to make sure that all the seats are filled where I think we were having a really hard time spending down some of the funds. So, I don't know if you have any thoughts. I don't know, you know, you're on the ground, you know, you're seeing things firsthand. Um but I but I think that's that's something that I hope that you will take a look at if you haven't already and maybe you know discuss that with the board. >> Yeah. Uh yeah if I may say first of all I really love the EEO office and the board. I feel that we really work well together as a team uh like truly and um one thing that I actually I mentioned this maybe uh at the last meeting.
So I do have my MBA with emphasis in marketing and I'm always trying to kind of interject in discussions that we really need to have more PSAs or more you know just advertisement because you're correct a lot of families for some reason or another do not know of this additional funding. I know when parents call our preschool I I give them everything you know here this is what's available. I I'm not saying that you cannot afford it but you know this is really for everyone. if you can apply and you can get something out of it, you know, good for you. I do love that that the EOEL created a website. So, kind of like a one-stop shop, so to speak, of all the information. So, that's, you know, kudos to them. So, again, to get more again, education for the families to know what I guess support services there are.
Um and something that I remember I mentioned last time I was here. I really feel the best place that we can start is when the parents are, you know, pregnant, you know, in the offices. Um because, you know, maybe they hear it once, but maybe they have to hear it 10 times. Here, here's the pamphlets, you know, don't forget about, you know, uh child care, uh tuition. So, we just have to constantly maybe maybe we'll work, you know, together. Uh I know we have a doctor on the board, um a pediatrician. We just have to maybe work with the doctors and the hospital just everywhere just to get a simple brochure honestly to these mothers to these parents. This is what's available you know special services for developmental needs for tuition assistance for everything for everything. >> So those discussions haven't been happening. >> Um I've brought it up the discussions yes have been taking place.
Um but for the actual uh I guess movement on it I I'll definitely follow up on it. Yeah, I know it's easier said than done, >> right? Obviously, right? Because you have freedom of choice, but I think you got to be strategic in a certain point to make sure the seats are filled. >> Yeah. >> Because at the end, if the seats are unfilled, it's just >> Yeah. But thank you. I'm happy to hear that. >> thank you, Senator Kona. >> Thank you. I have several questions. >> Sure. So, do you have any numbers on how many uh prek or um children are not attending prek of any kind? >> Oh, I apologize. I know Yuka is going to scold me not knowing the exact numbers, but I know it's only about 50% like 54% that attendish. Um but like I said, there could be other reasons why it's that low, you know, by choice.
um not only by financial arena reason and such. Yeah, >> if you do come up with a number >> Oh, 100%. I can definitely get back with you. >> Um any stats on how prepared are those who do attend prek than those who do not once they get to >> at the board meetings I've attended, I've not heard of the stats, but that's a very good question. I'm actually curious about it myself. Yeah. So, thank you. We I can also get back with you on that. >> Um, >> sorry. >> Yeah. And you also discussed that the communication is inconsistent between uh the DOE and DHS. Do you know which office you're supposed to communicate with? >> Uh, specifically for which sub Oh, for the special need that you just made that comment that assistant. Well, for the special education that's really with the DOE more um but I'm talking more in terms of each school I feel that each school like from the principal and the um I guess the coordinators I feel are inconsistent from school to school.
So some could have wonderful um I would say uh intake processes in in terms of evaluating children and then another school completely different. Completely different. >> Well, it' be interesting to get more information from you as to what the inconsistencies are and how we can help them share that. >> That would be great. Yes, because it should be consistent, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Thank you all the questions. Cheryl, thank you very much. Appreciate your time to serve. I know you have your hands full, but it's people like you that is there on the boots on the ground and you you get to see and hear and understand. So, thank you for >> and as always, you know, I'm sure I speak for everyone on the board. You can contact us anytime, not just every so many years. >> Okay. >> But then when we do, we get crit I get criticized like I'm trying to micromanage.
>> No, no, not at all. Not at all. >> Can't win. I'm not I just can't win. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Okay, we are moving on to uh GM uh 744 and this is for consideration and confirmation uh for the national and community service uh community service gumator nominee Ann Marie Matsuzaki to a term to expire 6:30 2027 and I wasn't aware of this board in the past I am now and I know many people aren't. So, the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service, established within the University of Hawaii for administrative purposes, is responsible for promoting volunteerism, community service, and civic engagement as tools for addressing statewide needs. Composed of at least nine members representing key sectors including education, business, labor, government, and youth. The commission develops a statewide service plan, administers grant programs, and serve as Hawaii's leazison to the national service initiatives.
It plays a central role in coordinating public and private efforts, expanding community-based programs, supporting recruitment and training of volunteers, and ensuring ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements to strengthen service opportunities and community impact across the state. And so, Cheryl, um, anyone here wishing to testify? was submitted. Okay. And with that we I mean for Ann Marie um and if you would like to open welcome chair staff um thank you for this opportunity um to be able to or application to serve again. Um I have been on the board um for a few years now and um you it may sound very unfamiliar maybe under this name um but many know the um under Americanore. Some of you may also know some of the other organizations that support um um volunteerism and service in Hawaii including Teach for America um legal aid. We partner with legal have partnered with legal aid and some of you know um the youth conservation corps including um koopu havi um who has a national mar program.
So um I'm >> all pardon me. >> I said thank you for enlighting us on all of that. It's helpful. >> Yeah, you're very welcome. I mean we all in Hawaii, we all in Hawaii um you know we whoever we call auntie and uncle even and we have no blood relations. These are usually with um people that we have relationships. There are neighbors or our friends, their teachers who volunteer after school. Um they're they're any community coach. So we all are um you know um impacted by people who volunteer whether it's official or unofficial. Um and so that's a lot of what um Americanore does in tries to do in very formal ways community um service and volunteerism because it really is a connective tissue of Hawaii in in my opinion. Um I think I I did share with you about some of the folks who were our um who are we work with.