001Good afternoon and welcome to the Senate Committee on Education. Today is Friday, April 4th, 2025. This is our 3:00 PM agenda and we are in hearing room 229. This meeting, including the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live on YouTube. You will find links to viewing options for all Senate meetings on the live and on demand video page of the legislaturator's website. In the unlike unlikely event that we must abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties, the committee will reconvene to discuss any outstanding business on Monday, April 7th, 2025 in room 229. Any public notice will be posted on the legislaturator's website. I'd like to take this time to remind our testifiers that due to time restrictions on our hearings, we will be limiting testimony to one minute per testifier per
002bill. For people participating remotely, please remain muted and video disabled until shortly before it is your turn to testify. When I call your name, unmute yourself and your time will begin. After your minute is completed, Steph will mute you so that we can move this hearing along in an orderly manner. First on our agenda is GM761 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board ruminatorial nominee Deanna Deolier for a term to expire June 30th 2027 GM761 for advice and consent. Is Diana here please? Yes. [Music] For testifiers list, we have Phil Bosert, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Please take a Phil. He's not here. I believe he's not here. He's not on Okay. Uh he provided testimony in support. Is there anyone else here wishing to testify? Chair, vice chair, members of
003committee, superintendent. Uh this on behalf of the department, my apologies, madam chair, we will be submitting our testimony, but the department stands in support of this. Thank you. Thank you, superintendent. Anyone else here wishing to testify on this measure? If not, Diana, please go ahead and give us some testimony on yourself. Absolutely. Um, I do believe I'm suited well for representation. Um, I started my career as an educator uh over 20 years ago as a classroom teacher. I've taught at various uh private schools here in Hawaii. I've also taught at various schools on the mainland um and have lived here now for the better part of 20 years. Um, I've worked in education. I've received a higher degree in education and um been with the Hawaii Association for about 13 years now. Um serving in
004multiple capacities including licensing private schools on behalf of the state of Hawaii and uh serving um our private schools on matters of accreditation. So I've worn many hats uh and as incoming executive director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, it would be a privilege to serve on this board as well. Thank you. Members questions. No questions. Basic question is why why do you want to serve any questions to the board and what do you bring to the board? Absolutely. Um this particular board I think um has a lot of insight as far as uh upholding the the standards of what we believe is valuable in a classroom setting. And you know, I've I've been in education now for the majority of my career, and I truly believe that there's probably no more important role
005than that of what our teachers do in a classroom day in and day out. And so, it would be an absolute privilege to continue to serve in that capacity, informing and learning alongside others who I think share similar beliefs. Um, having again served in classroom settings, multiple grade levels, I think I've probably taught every single grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade over the years. and then serving in various capacities um outside of a school setting, still working on behalf of our schools here in Hawaii. Um I think I have, you know, a solid knowledge base, always open to learning and um and I also I'll just add that, you know, I I enjoy the partnerships that we've extended over the years between our private school association and the Department of Education. And um I
006think it's one more way to strengthen some of those connections and ties. Thank you. Thank you members. Further questions? Senator, I guess I'd like to know your philosophy on how what is the teacher standards board in trying to figure out how to fill all of our teacher vacancies that we primarily have within the public school space. Um and what do you think we should do about it? An excellent question. I think it's probably our biggest area of need in Hawaii and it does extend beyond the public schools. The private schools uh are experiencing um similar short shortages. It's exaserbated on the early learning side um of education as well. I think we have to be open-minded. I think we have to be creative. We're up against so many obstacles. I mean we, you know, don't
007need to share with all of you cost of living out here is not conducive to supporting our educators in Hawaii. We need to think broadly and innovatively about how we're attracting teachers and how we're finding pathways for them to succeed in our schools. And I think it can be a multiaceted approach. I think in recent years there's been excellent ideas brought to the table. Um some are lofty but some I think are feasible. And I think it's a matter of you know again figuring out how to reach across the channels, continue working with um the University of Hawaii on pathways there and uh finding those broad levels of support. And I think that, you know, again, it's another opportunity potentially for some public private partnership um and how we support those pathways um uh for
008teachers finding their their homes in in Hawaii. I think you know over the years I'll just broad one great example of I think a very effective pathway has been the work that Teach for America has done in support of educators coming to Hawaii and I think if we can um continue working with partners like them and other organizations um you know we can we can chip away at the issue um it but it will be an ongoing issue and I think it might even get harder in the years to come. So thinking broadly innovatively and creatively I think is key. Yeah. So, so I'll bring something to your attention that I think this committee heard that I I was a little surprised on the teacher standard sports position and and you know I think you
009said the right things. It was you know being open-minded being creative. I think the Department of Education has been quite creative in bringing in J1 visa teachers and you know I think the the HS HTSB was tasked with you know trying to figure out how to deal with them and I think you know the legislature had a bill moving forward asking to you know for the board to create a special program to to credential these folks and essentially they were against the bill and I I was just so surprised that they took that position because the DOE is trying to figure out how to be open-minded and creative in trying to apply something that, you know, is is essentially a band-aid for us until we figure out the longer term solution, but they were totally
010against it. And and so I I don't know what you think about that, but I was very very surprised because that doesn't show me that they're open-minded and creative. And I I hope that you can bring some sense into what they're trying to accomplish. I I would hope to add an additional voice um to the group as far as being mindful of who's sitting at the table alongside me, but I would hope to bring an open mind and creative solutions and and just working alongside to move the needle on these issues. Um private schools have the autonomy to do so and I think you know perhaps there's some learning to do alongside everybody as as again as we think about the shortage and how we need to be flexible. Um so all I can hope
011is to forge relationships, right? and to hopefully uh you know continue to do some good thinking along some people that I I also believe are are well-intentioned. Yeah. No, I I think my bottom line is hopefully you can you can share that open-mindedness and creativity with with the rest of the board so that we can have good results right for our educational system. Thank you chair. Other questions? So um my question is Diana that in question three of the questionnaire you were sent you stated that you would bring a mindset of ensuring that interactions with its executive leadership are characterized by professionalism, partnership and mutual accountability. Can you explain your proactive approach to this? Absolutely. I mean, I I really do think it does come down to, you know, I'm I'm as much as possible
012a fan of listening and learning alongside others, right? And so, I really do believe that um I I will no undoubtedly have a lot to learn from those sitting around the table. And I'm going to be mindful of that. Um I think in doing so, um you can cultivate a space where where there can be I I hope uh an equal exchange of ideas and thoughts. Um, so you know, in in short, um, I think that's that's kind of my approach in general. I have a lot to learn. I'm new at the helm at his although I've been in this space for a long time. And, um, I, you know, I think just sitting and learning alongside members of the board and others um, that will inform the work that we ultimately hope to achieve
013will be critical. Um, I'm not sure if that fully answers your question. I'm happy to elaborate on any given portion. I have no further questions. Members, any further questions? Sure, I have a question. Um, c could you just maybe share with me one of your thoughts on how you would be more uh bring more open-minded, innovative ideas? Like, what is something that the department is not doing or that the board is not doing that you would bring a new idea in as example? I mean, I I will, you know, be candid in saying that I do believe that there should be alternate pathways to teacher lensure in the state of Hawaii. I don't know how we move forward without it. And I think um you know ultimately it would be ideal if we're sitting at
014a table at a place where we can come to some sort of agreement where that you know what that might look like. Um but I I think that you know I I'll give an example. We can leverage the idea of apprenticeships or learning while doing right um through and and cultivating teachers. Um I think that there's programs that are available that could support some of those initiatives. Um I mean I started I'll give the example of myself. I fell into education. I moved to Hawaii. I didn't have anything. I was struggling to It was right after 911. Um the job market wasn't great and basically I took a teaching job and I did so at a private school and then I found my way through a pathway of education. Um I stepped into a classroom
015and I fell in love with it. And so it was a pathway and and at this point here I am 20some years later where I've worked my way through the degrees I but I learned from doing first and I learned from those around me in a supportive school setting. So I I think I am testament to finding alternate pathways through a process that sometimes um might not be the clear-cut way. Um and I think we can be a little bit creative in how we figure out how to do those things. So are are you talking about alternate pathways as far as maybe internship right after high school? Is are those internship could be apprenticeship could be learning alongside. We have amazing teachers in our state at every type of school. Um could be pathways through
016the university. I I think there's room for creativity. Yeah. Because teacher shortage um is a very strong concern amongst parents and parents that do have children in their education system. Um, but teachers in my district aren't necessarily leaving because of high cost of living. They're leaving because they're disappointed with the overall department, the way the department is run, the fact that they have to continue to come out of pocket um and give above and beyond. Now, we're finding teachers having to be teachers, having to be coaches, having to direct traffic when kids are being dropped off in the morning. So, they have to wear many hats. How can you um I guess I guess how can you at least comfort me in knowing that yeah, we can supply the teacher shortage without lowering the standard
017because we're starting to find that in my community where people are setting starting to step in um and maybe fill a gap where they're not necessarily credentialed or have the college degrees for that. So, I just want to make sure that we're keeping the level of standard high, that we're not reducing the quality of education for our students, but then also knowing that you're going to be on a collective board with people that really don't like change. If I've noticed anything about the Department of Education, they don't like change. Um, and so I don't know where that come from. I don't know how that's going to be implemented, but I did want to make that point to you is that, um, it's the teacher shortage isn't only just coming from high cost of living. So,
018oh, absolutely. Yeah. And it's burnout and it's it's a demand. I mean, there are few other more demanding jobs of being a teacher and you don't leave it at the door and that's certainly not lost on me. Very good. Uh, that's it chair. Thank you so much. Thank you members. Further questions. If not, thank you again. Thank you. Next item is GM774 or Wesley Weslo seat on the board of education. and to testify. Superintendent. Hello, Chair Kadani. Vice Chair Kim, members of the committee, Keithashi, Superintendent testifying on behalf of the Department of Education. Uh, Mr. Low stands uh, Mr. Lo brings with him experience that has shown strategic leadership, financial management, and community engagement. In his short time on the board of education, he has already stepped up to shoulder the responsibility of chairing the
019human resources committee and has been doing an excellent job. Uh for this reason, the department stands in strong support of Mr. Wesley. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you, Superintendent. Anyone else wishing to testify? Members questions here. Oh, sorry. I guess that would be a good idea. That's okay. Uh Madam Chair, senators, um Wesley Low, um currently on the board of education. Uh I uh this is my um uh I'm serving the last year of a term, a vacant term, so I am up for um um confirmation again. Um and I I I do know some of you have read my past um um submissions, so you know, I I I do got to follow up on on many of those things. Um, I did formerly uh serve on the first appointed board
020of education back in 2011. Um, just quick background myself. I am uh in healthcare. Um, I don't know anything about healthcare other than being the business part of healthcare. Um, I've been on the board of education. I am not a teacher or an educator. Um, I I would classify myself as a a wannabe community developer. Um I do believe that um frankly education and healthcare are the building blocks of society and if you're going to do anything about a economy and anything you would want to start with those two things uh in mind as you build it. Um my uh desire on the board of education I'm trying to answer as many questions I can is uh related frankly that I have two um I'm a proud parent of two um uh graduates from the
021department of education um one from Baldwin one from Maui High um and my wife uh big impact on my life um uh was at the DOE for 35 years I think something like that um and um I I I saw some successes I I wish that I could do what educators do. Um the rewards that they get when they turn around. She was an alternative learning um counselor and the rewards that she gets when uh some people underprivileged kids uh have a tough time and come back to her years later as an airplane pilot or a doctor um and she's crying. I I think it's a more rewards than you could get from anything else uh in life. So, um anyway, that's that's sort of my story um for this and I I'm I'm looking
022forward to hoping to continue to support um the the advancement of the Department of Education. Thank you. Thank you. As further questions, members, Wesley, thank you so much for being here in your opportunity to serve. So, I'm a little confused by your resume and then also maybe a little bit of what you shared because um your resume it shows that you have some medical background or healthcare background but then in your statement you said you're in healthcare but you're only on the business side. Then you said you're on the board but you're not really directly in the schools. Um, so, so I originally I didn't have any questions for you, but but but I have lots now, but for the sake of time, I'm going to condense it. Um, but what can you bring that
023would have some real meat and substance that would help to advise the Department of Education, whether that be through policy, uh, curriculum, um, teacher shortage, budgeting, all those kinds. I mean, I'm looking at your resume and I'm trying to really connect the dots. So, can you tell me what you can bring in real time that will be an advantage to the Department of Education, to our students, and to our taxpayers? Uh, Madam Chair, uh, Senator, uh, yeah, so it was a little bit of a tongue and cheek. I I've been in healthc care for for mo most of my career. Um, I am not a, uh, practitioner. I do not do surgeries. I do not take care of patients. I wish I could. Um, frankly, um, I think that's why I entered into the field.
024But I have been involved in healthcare quite a bit. I did run um the state uh Maui's hospitals for for years and currently um run a large post-accute care um thing out in bouva maha out in Macaha etc. Um so I I I think it was more that I've never been um a doctor or a nurse etc. and I wish I could. And just same as in um the board of education, um I've never been a teacher, but I've seen the rewards and I've always tried to help uh maybe where I could in that space. I would say that um I'm hopeful that my experience in running large organizations, complex organizations can be of assistance in the development of whether it's a department of education or healthcare or hospitals in running um running it. I
025I find that in large complex organizations it's it's about organizational structures and um and holding people accountable and um you know again although I've never been a teacher I think that I will defer to the the experts on many of the curriculum issues but that I I can um hopefully bring some structure on how to move organizations forward. Okay. What would you be the expert in though if you're going to defer to experts in the curriculum? What are you the expert in? What can we defer you to? I would say that um I could be very helpful in uh in the human resources side um is bringing um performance metrics and um accountability and evaluations and organizational structures. I also have a fairly uh uh reasonable background I would say in finance and in building
026things um construction. Um I wouldn't say that I um you know I think there's certainly people that are more qualified in some of these things but I think the whole package I think that I can provide organizational structure I can help the the business matters and the um moving forward of an organization. Yeah and thank you for that response. Uh unfortunately I'm just not seeing that as being a part of the core responsibilities to be a member of the board of education. But that's it for me. Thank you Wesley. Thank you chair. Thank you. Other questions Wesley, thank you very much. Um, I guess I look at it from a different point of view. I think sometimes our boards uh when you're so much embedded in the organization or in one field, you don't you're
027not able to see other things. I think our education system and DOE affects everybody, not just our students, but the parents of these students who have not been teachers, not been educators certainly. Um I think a lot of it is work experience, life experience, what is needed in our schools. And so I I believe having talked with you and and and um known you for a number of years, I think that's what you bring to the board. And you've been serving now since for about nine months. So, can you share with us some of the um issues and concerns that that having been on for nine months and what are some of the areas you think that we the board needs to work on? Okay. U Madam Chair, Senator, um I think in the first
028nine months I I think I I described in my um my written comments um that first it was just getting used to the sunshine law and and the uh dynamics of the board. Um I think the first thing that I I wanted to bring forward uh to the department of education is clear metrics on moving towards the strategic plan. Um I think in previous um evaluations of the superintendent uh it was like let's have a discussion and it was a fairly uh I think effective but it was a loose loose discussion. There was no performance metrics. It actually shows you're taking steps forward to accomplishing a goal. And so uh we did work together as a board to put these things together where we have uh student achievement metrics. Uh we have um process metrics
029to create plans on how to let's say uh uh work on an IT infrastructure or how to improve your HR systems etc to recruit more people to come up with plans and start reviewing it and making sure that there's progress toward that. So that has been a uh a major part. Um I think that we are starting to delve into uh the issues around facilities and making sure that we can um you know move forward projects in a more timely manner and and appropriate standards and the dynamics between the various um different agencies. Um you nine months is not a long time though. So I'd say that it's a work in progress. Okay. As far as oversight because the board has oversight on on the department. How how do you how does the board manage
030that oversight? Because you know similarly the legislature has oversight over the department we have oversight of the University of Hawaii but sometimes uh we get criticized for micromanaging when we we see that the board fails to act with the regions or in this case the board of education fails to act on certain things and that's where many times you will see a bill or resolution urging something gets done and I know there's a lot of bills there's a lot of education bills a lot of education uh resolutions um and of that and so um you know how how do how do you look at the the oversight because sometimes we wonder when parents call us that you need to call the board of education right well um I think that the um madam chair senator
031um correct I think that the board has some of the same challenges the legislature has is that you do not want to micromanage but yet you want to ensure progress therefore there was a lot of time and and um time and and uh thought around what metrics. The strategic plan actually when you look at it is to 2029 I believe. So you're you're not going to change the large department education in one year. So the idea is to make sure that there's specific progress that everybody's aligned to which would be the board and the department each year and they meet those marks or you got to of course adjust to that. So that's why we try to not have too many measures but very key measures to make sure that every year there's progress towards
032that 2029 strategic plan. We did not try to redo the strategic plan. So we started creating metrics. Well, what things did we feel as a board that were important to accomplish in a year? So obviously we wanted to see advancement in student achievement of math and uh lit literacy. Um and and then also then we started saying is that well uh you know there's issues around um student transportation and school food service. So we said well you got to come up with a plan on how you're going to manage um the office of facilities right and then we we started I'm sorry I can't remember all of them and then the IT issues you know how are we going to move ahead you know some of the the the teacher shortages or the workforce shortage
033issues could be solved by IT etc. Well how are we going to do that? what is the plan and then what metrics can we hold them going forward same with HR etc. So I think that uh at least um our strategy on this is take some key things and want and try to listen to what legislature the the community the public has and try to make sure there's progress um that it's not um progress and alignment um you don't want to be running a race where you don't know where the finish line is. So we want to make sure that the superintendent doesn't know where a finish line is that's aligned with the board and we will do our best to try to align with the legislature also. Okay. My last question you know sometimes
034you can align together you can meet all the metrics you can meet all the goals and there's still dissatisfaction. There's still problems. Correct. So I hope we don't get caught up in the minutia of the metrics of that and lack the common sense or lack really looking at you know what are the basic things we need like preparing our our kids for the world you know financial literacy to me it is common sense yet it's it's not embedded there's so many things that they should be performing and yet we push them and push them into early college get early credit and yet we lack on many of the basic values and the basic um foundation that our students need to to be successful in the world, you know, and and somehow we've lost that because
035we've gotten so much into, you know, a degree a degree, a degree. And so I hope that we'll have some some modernation. Correct. I I um I I do believe that we need life skills to move forward. Um and and um you know, it will be incumbent upon us to make sure we accomplish that. Again, it's not always the same path. I think the um Senator Dort had asked you know what other things are we doing like workforce development I mean etc. Well it's about how do you raise it's not only the cost of living it's how do you raise the the have people go to their highest level is important too and it's not only just the educational piece it's the workforce development piece is working with the community and in some communities it's
036not always going to the next level it's CTE or etc. So I do agree with you that um that's important. Um I think we do have to figure out how to work with the department to give them the right metrics but also not micromanage exactly what everything they're doing but make sure that again there's progress toward the goal. Um but I I do um I do um understand and I I feel your issues. Thank you Wes. So, for several years, the Senate has pushed to have the board of education act on a policy for financial literacy. If confirmed, the board of education, would you use your position to advocate for a BOE policy on financial literacy for all our students? Um, that's a loaded question. Um, Madam Chair, it's a loaded question. Um I I
037I would answer that I believe in financial literacy is a key component in the future of our um of our youth. Um one thing I would be careful of is to make sure that we have well-rounded kids that it's everything. And so what is if we are able to add it without taking away something else. I think that that's something that the board will need to wrestle with. And I think where we're advocating is that we are starting to work on graduation requirements. is one of the goals that we have a new vision for graduation requirements and that from there then we can determine what is going to be required of a graduate etc. So while personally I do believe uh exactly as Senator Kim has mentioned and you have mentioned that financial literacy is
038critical before I make any final decision I would want to know that we're not sacrificing something else. You know I'm not saying that we would but are you going to say as well okay we'll do financial literacy but we won't do um um you know math or something and I'm not saying that it's going to happen but I would want to see a holistic thing to make sure that we do that but I certainly would advocate that we continue to push forward financial literacy. Thank you. Um, another question. If confirmed to the board of education, will you work with your fellow board members to establish a policy position on the banning of cell phones at our schools? Um, I madam chair, senator, uh, well, I I so again I will give my personal opinion on
039it and I just happened to read an article about New Zealand. I don't know if you guys saw on the internet the other day um that they are struggling with it. Um I I I personally agree that during the classroom time that there should be a ban on cell phones personally. Um I do understand that there are some is other issues and I got to say is uh uh tongue and cheek. I am the OG, right? So I didn't grow up with cell phones. I grew up with the rotary thing. Yeah. Whatever they call it. And u I think there's a different way of communications and a different style and I uh of how they interact with each other. So I would just want to know a little bit more about it. But I do
040feel in the classroom that it would should be banned. I I know that that New Zealand thing they were talking about well what about breaks and in time. So that you know and there is it is a new way to communicate that I am I I am not as familiar with right I don't have any Instagram or anything. So, um I I think we just need to be um cognizant of making sure that uh we understand what the other issues are like making sure that there's emergency um communications and that also again I read in the article it's important is that our teachers are held to the same standard as our students right so that they you know we need to just understand and make sure it's equitable um as we approach it but uh
041I I um personally do believe that during the classroom time a cell phone ban would be a wise thing. Thank you. Um, if confirmed to the board of education, will you work with your fellow board members to establish a policy position? Oh, did I see this banning of Sorry, I'm reading someone else's. And I talked about financial literacy. Okay. Okay. Where's my questions? Anybody else has questions? Oh, go ahead. Thanks Wes for being here and thanks for for serving on the board. So I think you know it's it's been nine months so let's let's go back when you started you know on the board. I think we'll set the stage that I think we were facing a lot of lapses in the capital improvement projects and I think there was a I think there was
042a a request from us to really take a look at the office of facilities right and in the DOE. Where where do you think we are in that process? Um, and do you see that we've had some incremental uh improvements in that? You know, and I know you're more on the HR side, but you know, through that lens, have you have you seen do you see that there is going to be more improvements coming out of the DOE on how we deal with all these improvements that we're trying to do for our facilities? U, Madam Chair, Senator, um, I think there are some um, key questions that need to be resolved as we move forward on the facility things. I think that the there's been a definitely um a strong attempt at trying to deal
043with for the prioritization and I think we there's been issues on lumpsum funding to allow us to actually the DOE to actually um try to manage the resources and not um you know uh with within a aligned uh goal so there's not all these other requests coming in. So I think that there was a good attempt at that. Um I think it's going to be in the implementation and um uh I'll I'll talk about the the the elephant in the room is um I think we need to resolve some of the issues around the responsib roles and responsibilities between um the facilities and the uh school facilities administration. Um and I think that um but I think that there's definitely been progress on that. There's been some discussions. Um I think it's a work in
044progress. Um uh I guess I I'll be anxious as we head out of this budget year to sort of see where we're at and start monitoring. I I think that we have asked as part of the um metrics that we have a plan for um the office of facilities and also um related um but not directly is the human resource side is I think for there to be effective um performance you also need to be able to fill positions and we'll need to deal with that. I mean it's not it's not just one thing. Yeah. You got to make sure that we can fill those positions and find out um so it kind of starts flowing together um with it etc. um and HR systems etc. But I think there's been progress. Um I think
045there's more discussions that need to happen before I could tell you oh no we're we're you know we're going to be perfect. I think we got to resolve a few issues um around the facilities though for sure. Right. I I hope with with your knowledge you'll continue to you know chip away at it. I think it's I think you're right. I think a lot of it is people. People is important. I think I'd like to hopefully see that we can get some, you know, more employees that know what they're doing either through exempt positions or otherwise uh to make sure that, you know, we don't always look for contractors to to work our way out of things. And so, um, you know, I I hope that you'll continue to work on that and and make
046it a priority as you, um, you know, go through the your your board tenure. Thank you. ask my questions. Yeah, we're going to go on. Thank you, Les. Thank you. So next to discuss is GM776 advising consent. Oops, I'm sorry. Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the board of education rubberal nominee Sylvia Lee for a term to expire June 30th, 2028. Sia, please. Yes, please. Can you please give us a little bit about yourself and why you want to? Well, I'm going to start by telling you that when I walked in, I was so grateful that I was third because I thought that would afford me a little less nervousness. it has only increased the nervousness because the people before me have been so passionate and so fluent in their delivery. Um my whole life,
047my whole professional life has been with the department of education. I really know nothing outside of that. Um I know it quite well. I've been uh many different I've had many different positions in it. And one of the things I've learned in the past few weeks is how whatever issues I saw in the decades I was in, whatever solutions I thought I had uh created in and of myself or within a DOE are much are much more dependent on partnerships. Um, and I think that what I can bring is that overview, that idea that it's not just it's not just me. It's not just the DOE. It is the BOE. And as I I'm embarrassed, I think I told many of you, I know about the DOE. I know a little bit about the BOE
048because it's something we learned when we were in school. And they said, "Oh, the Department of Education is run by the legislature, the BOE, and the superintendent." And I thought, "I'm going to have three bosses. That's that's just not good." But I still liked it anyway. And I know nothing about the legislature. I am overwhelmed by the job you do. I think I shared with some of you the other night. I was talking with my husband and I said, "What is a majority whip? That's a terrible title." Um, all the majority whips. The title. Senator Hashimoto is probably a wonderful person, but the title is No, he's a whip. care. Um I guess my point here is what can I bring? I think I can bring that willingness to work with groups, the willingness to
049see beyond just what is. I also think I bring a sense of being able to look at hard questions, ask hard questions. I have often said this, I am not lovable. People will not walk away from me or have worked with me and say, "She's so nice. She's the nicest person." You You never know. I'm not warm and fuzzy. But what what they will miss me for is perhaps, "Oh, she said it like it was. If something needed pushing, she pushed." Um, sometimes, and I learned this over the years, sometimes it was real nice to say thank you. I had a hard time learning to say please because I thought that's my duty. That's your duty. That's my job. That's your job. So I didn't even think please was necessary. I thought that it was
050just and I still do think it's my job. So I think I bring that kind of passion, that kind of overview to this role. And by the way, I'm still nervous. We couldn't tell. Thank you. Stay right there. We're going to ask um Superintendent Hayashi to testify. Hello, Cherani, Vice Chair K, members of the committee. Keith Hayashi, superintendent testifying on behalf of the Department of Education. The department stands on its written testimony, strong support of this measure. Miss Lee brings a breath of experience as a teacher, registar, school administrator, and district level leader that has resulted in a deep understanding of Hawai's public school system and her passion for student success will benefit the board. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you, Superintendent Susan Ichino on Zoom. Not present on Zoom. Chair, thank
051you. Anyone else here to testify on this measure? If not, members questions. No questions. I have a couple questions. Susan, the Senate has pushed for years to have the board of education act on a policy for financial literacy. If confirmed to the board of education, will you use your position to advocate for a board policy on financial literacy for all of our students? Yes. Thank you. Yes, um and and I will say certainly I I heard discussion on this before and I have heard people say don't make promises and make promises you know you um just real quickly I have two daughters one one said to me right after high school you never taught me anything about financial literacy by the way she's in her 40s now and she's been saying that for many days.
052You never taught me I would have been in much better shape if you had and she is in good shape because she took the path to seek it out herself. I have another daughter in her 40s also who said I wish I had learned more about it because it would serve me better where I am now. I look at deficits and spending that goes on that has gone on and I've seen within my schools, within the DOE, within the legislature. I think maybe if many of us had had financial literacy training a long time ago, uh we might be in better shape now. Thank you. The other question I've been asked to ask is if confirmed to the board of education, will you work with your fellow board members to establish a policy position on
053the banning of cell phones at our schools? You know, I've just heard about this one. Um and my first thought when I heard it was uh and it's been a issue since uh uh for for many years uh when cell phones first became popular in the schools uh teachers were telling me we need to ban it on our school because it's interfering with instruction and uh and a lot of it was um and my action my reaction at that time was let's see how we can use it to facilitate instruction. Let's see. Um, but my first question when I thought of this is yes, how we we can ban it. How are we going to enforce that? What what what is the measure that we're going to use? The one thing and I don't know
054enough about those I the one thing that I do like about it is that if the DOE and the BOE take a stand with that in the school my assumption is it will be universal throughout the DOE. I'm big for consistency. I don't like that students at one school, especially if it's a rule, can do this and not at another. And then you have communities fighting with one another. So, I do like that part. I don't know enough about the followup to be really comfortable. Thank you, members. Any questions? Thank you, Sylvia. Oh, thank you. We didn't beat you up, did we? We're saving it. You want to come back for round two? We're saving it for the next Okay. Is that all the testifiers? I think Okay, we are going on to GM775 Michael
055Magaw with the board of education. Thank you Mike for being here. Thank you Jim and Senator Committee. Please go ahead. Hi. Uh my name is Michael Muggle. I uh in the past I served in the house of representative uh representing district 45 which is a north shore from LA all the way to the Monte Kuna from 2000 to 2010. My my reason for wanting to be on the board is I want to bring a fresh face to the board uh because with my experience as electrical engineer and working with facilities building things and also with Catholic Charities as housing presidents we have been building a lot of homes for Catholic Charities for basically single rental. We have already proven ourselves in uh Millia Moa. We have 200 units. Maui, we have Cahulu Lani 165 units
056and presently we're we're doing the uh all the uh AMB's old swap meet to build about family housing. reason I want to be because I seen what happened with the ledge and me as a as a past legislator, we kind of ticked off because when you bring the bacon home to your district, if it's not accomplish what you want to build or fix, especially when you talk to the schools, the principles and you want something to be done and especially when it's not being done and I just want to bring my fresh eyes and experience to assist and to see what is the pitfalls of our facilities. case cuz to me there's always a process. The question is is a process being followed? Are we having too many silos or are we communicating to the
057public? Cuz you as legislators go out to the public because you out there getting what is required in the district to be done. If the DU is failed to do it, shame on them. The question is we have to provide the right answers. right now they're restructuring and like I said I bring fresh eyes to the uh if if confirmed uh to this organization because my philosophy in life is like when you planting a a rice field in a in a in a in a metal it grows as the kernels come up it slowly bends the older you get it bends more so I was saying to you guys with humility as we get older no matter what your vertical scale is you want to give back to the public because once we're gone And
058we want to make sure there is prosperity for as we continue on with the state of Hawaii because I have seen a lot of uh kids or grandkids of my generation or have gone away a lot and the question is that we have is you know when you grad from high school or college the first thing they ask you where's your experience you have no experience look at the nursing shortage I wish they would take train uh because my son is a nurse He he uh he was he graduated before the pandemic. He couldn't get a job because everybody said where's your experience? So they go away. What I'm saying right now is that we have to provide a proper education cuz in other because when I mentioned that uh thing about the rice field
059because the chair of the holikipa we take care of all the runaway youths the kids that have been deprived because of their parents. No fault of them. We try to create a gem, a diamond and a rough to help them. Basically, what we trying to do is build a self-esteem because every kids have an opportunity. Look at the kid that student that graduate poo. She was a homeless couple years ago. She's a 4.0 homeless. She got a full scholarship at University of Hawaii. Now she's working at KIT as a production manager. What I'm saying that we cannot miss the opportunity. But for me in my role, I bring a fresh eyes, be open because I want to see what's wrong with our facilities because as engineers, you're very boring because we have a process we
060got to go through. We have agency like the DPP permitting and we have to deal with the community. A lot of times if you don't you do your homework, do your due diligence, you're going to create havoc in the community if you're going to build. You cannot say because they provided funds, you're going to build, but have you talked to your community? Is there infrastructure in that area that you're going to build? And the question is you have funds will it lapse? Because I tell you it all two years if you guys give money it's not it's not going to happen because with what I do as engineer every project we have we have to do with the utility like Hawaiian Electric or Miko they two years before they can get their transport on board.
061So I'm saying that there's a process you have to go through. I'm not saying what we have is I well I take it back. There's something wrong with us situation. All I want to do is provide as a new member just basically bring new fresh eyes and whatever experience I have. Thank you. Thank you Mike. Stay right there. Members questions. Hi Mike. Thank you so much for your uh willingness to serve. So I do have a few questions in looking at your resume um also and uh not to trigger the other nominee but uh with your resume I'm not really seeing um education background as well. I know that you had shared that you're an engineer. I grew up high school way back high school. By education you're talking about education. Yes. Education background background.
062You're talking about education background. Correct. Wo high school. No, no, I'm not talking about being a student. Okay. Sorry. I'm talking about actually either being a part of the administration, the staff. No, I have not. Okay. I have not. Okay. Um, so which prompts me to my next question. I I just have serious concerns because um, how long were you serving on the board already? Which board? Board of Education. This is your I'm I'm say I'm a fresh eyes. Uh, I need to know the system like anything else. So you have to be do your due diligence before you do anything. So as I had asked the previous nominee um uh what would you necessarily be an expert in? Um you mentioned fresh eyes uh it would be mostly facilities looking at basically the structure
063what has happened why is it pro I mean projects are moving what's the hold up is it a permit or is it the lack of expertise or are we missing something or the commitment that we give to legislator what can happen you know okay it just the key is are we following up I don't know I'm just asking a question okay thank you um so with regards to the 2023 to 2029 uh strategic plan. Uh what part of that facilities uh plan would you be able to contribute to fulfilling that plan? Priority number three. Okay. What about it? I mean it's basically regarding facility structure and basically what I'm looking at looking at that is I would go out and uh talk to the uh stakeholders principles on the town rural schools and neighbor island
064to get uh measurements as far as are we accomplishing what is required the desired outcome required in the strategic plan for number three if that correlates to number one and two so be it. I just need to know beside what you read because the key is reaching out to the the community. And you are a former uh house representative as well, right? Correct. So you know how to look at public records as far to see where the facilities are at right now as far as the conditions that it's in the monies that uh each school is asking for. So even though you might not be at the table yet, there's ways to find out through public information on where the facilities are at now. Yeah, that is correct. Okay. So have you done any research
065according to that? uh being that you plan to spend a good amount of time being the expert in the facilities going to be able to start I will once confirmed. Okay. So you haven't really prepared for anything. I just wanted to hear from you based on your query of questions and answers based on what your expectation what you want from me or not because once we got I got a green light then I'll do that part as doing my due diligence. Okay. So you're the you're you're pretty much once I get the position then I'm going to do the work. Correct. Okay. Thank you, chair. Thank you. Um, forgive me. I forgot to call our testifiers. Superintendent stay. Hello, Cherani, Vice Chair Kim, members of the committee. Keith Hayashi, superintendent, testifying on behalf of the
066Department of Education. The department stands on its written testimony in strong support of this measure. Mr. Mawa has extensive experience in public service, engineering, and education advocacy. um as an example, he is a long- serving member on the public schools of Hawaii Foundation and most recently uh was in support of our students uh served as a judge uh in um students projects, authentic based learning projects uh that that leverage artificial intelligence and technology. Um I'm I'm sure he will be definitely a strong supporter of public education. Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify. Thank you. Thank you. also to testify, Ryan Toyura. Ryan's not here. Anyone else here to testify on this measure? Thank you, members. Questions, maybe just a comment. Yeah, sure. Uh thank you, chair, and and thank you for being
067here again. model for all you guys coming to uh volunteer for these positions which are extremely important um not only for the future of our kids um but also then all the teachers and administration basically what was said earlier the entire community um I appreciate um your background especially with facilities and maintenance that's something that I've always been barking about you know I represent Kotaku and Volcano on Hawaii Island uh some of the oldest schools in the entire state And it takes a lot for them to get upkeep. And uh especially, you know, neighbor islands taken care of by DAGs, you know, for the maintenance of these schools. And I'm not saying anything bad against them. They're fantastic. Uh just need a lot more resources to do all the different work that needs to be
068done. Um, so I appreciate the your willingness and your background in this specific um uh in this in that specific um way because that's I mean you know we go back and all the money we've appropriated in the past, right? A lot of it has lapsed. Um, and so I know that there's a transition on trying to figure that all out right now and I hope that it will come to fruition on how we better manage, better prioritize all these different projects and make it equitable throughout the state, right? You know, um, representing some of the most rural communities, you never want them to be marginalized, especially, you know, the populations here on Aahu, the tax bases here in Aahu. We get that, but I mean, we we're trying to be build equity throughout the
069entire state. So, I I definitely would love you for you to get out there, go see some of these rural schools, go see some of these rural campuses that still need a lot of help, right? And especially when it comes to maintenance and repair. So, I agree. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, uh, Mr. Mawai. I really appreciate you be being willing to serve on the um board because I I appreciate your knowledge of construction and [Music] um I think that the board could use someone with your expertise. But my question for you is would you say that maintenance and repair is equally important as the construction itself? Let me state it this way. construction is good depending on your specification. If you want to go cheap, you get you
070get the materials that's going to last you five years less than five. and and what it does if your specification is not tight or or I don't think the DU has a standard specification when you're building schools like materials what you going to use you know architecturally doors or anything else because what's the problem going to be is that whoever be take care of the maintenance they have to go to like a hardware store this is for od this is for dag this is for x y and z because they have to match the parts that you have so if the design is great your repair method should go down. But right now, what I see with a lot of schools on the neighbor islands, the rural schools, they don't have the resources to fix
071it cuz they're not the squeaky wheel. They get it fixed. The guys who get fixed is more here on Aahu. So, they have a disadvantage because it's more like a band-aid approach. But I think for now, we need to look at what is the internal problem we have to correct that. I know they had problems in the fire alarm system. That's one thing. Is there others out there besides the fire up? Is there something with the plumbing or there's something with door hardware or whatever? So, we need to make assessment to answer your question um madam chair is it's a balance but the question is where are we looking at the projects because overall I think the rule schools and the neighbor islands will have a bigger budget on repair and maintenance versus the schools
072here and on a wall. Thank you. question. Aloha, Mike. Um, I've served with you uh in the legislature and known you for a while. Certainly appreciate your experience in the construction area uh and facilities, but as a board member on BOE, that's not the only thing. I mean, there is a whole bunch of other areas. Plus, I don't know if if you recall, but um DAGs is the one that used to do all the facilities and so forth, right? And then that wasn't working. There are a lot of complaints about DAGs and so it got split up and so now it went over to not now, but it went over to DOE and on neighbor islands, it's not even with DOE, it's still with DAGs. So they do the repair and maintenance. Did you know
073that? I don't know because I was part of doing you where we split diwi from that. I remember I didn't I didn't know about okay but knowing that you were coming here going back to senator the court's thing is that you know some some homework would have been helpful but yeah so they don't it's dags that do it so DOE had it and it didn't we had to create SFA not that I agreed with SFA but we have SFA and being that we have SFA so it's like who's going to run it now is it going to go back to BOE because you're you seem to be an expert in that or it's going to the F SFA. Now, there's already a riff and I'm going to talk about it. There's a riff between DOE
074and SFA and that's not helpful. And the way we're going to solve it is to put two voting members from DOE and the board onto SFA and now you come on. I mean, I don't know what going on, but you know me, I'm direct and so are you. So, I you know, I think that you have to realize what's your role going to be as a board member, right? If you wanted to do facilities then you should have asked to be on SFA. Right. Right. Right. I agree what you're saying um waste Kim. I mean basically what I've been reading since I've been busy on my role as a engineer because my biggest project I have now is the Honolulu waste water treaty plant. It's a big project that carries all the libert side. What
075you're saying is correct. I didn't know about DAGs was handling neighbor islands. Okay. But what you're saying is since it was a part of the legislative to have the three entities right now we have to see where is the medium point I mean everybody want to take credit but the question is everybody taking credit nothing is done everybody's pointing fingers you going to have duplication of resources because when do we split from DAX the resources are duplicated to DOE now you have another entity you know I'm just saying that the collab spirit of collaboration got to be there yes that's what I'm saying so looking at that's what we have now. So we can't go back and say that that's the situation and if the BOE and the DOE wants a vote to be a
076voting member and I always say be careful what you wish for because when there's going to be problem SFA I'm going to say you folks are on the board you have a vote now why is there still problems right? So, I'm I'm just cautioning as we move forward, but you seem to, you know, continue to talk about facilities and and construction and all of that, bringing fresh eyes. Well, it doesn't seem that fresh when you're so focused on on narrowly on one area that we already have SFA. Do you know how much money CIP money that is in the pipeline that has has been encumbered but not spent and projects that have not gone forward? Do you know how much money is that? Not exactly. a billion dollars over a billion dollars sitting there and
077every year we get more CIP we get more laps more laps and we have all these projects sitting a billion dollars worth of projects sitting there because it's too expensive to to build because the money that was allocated has the the costs have increased. So what is DOE going to do about that? Those are the things that I want you to focus on. Yeah. What are you going to do about that? not necessarily building and construction, but what are you gonna do about all all of that dollars and every year getting asking for more and more CIP and more and more backlogs. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Could you kind of educate me on that basis? I didn't know about I thought basically when they use spray from DAG that was completely the whole the
078whole now you're telling me so I mean I mean I've been out of this building for 15 years so you know I'm just concentrating but the realism is exactly what you said and I appreciate what uh senator court meant you know did you look at it you know I would just look at more on the perfect cursorary to see what can be done I haven't really dig deep as far as where is the uh problem where do we look at how Do we cooperate not knowing how the agency is split and how is the correlation or you might say feel of field of challenge you might say you know call members to meet with us beforehand. So just just to the Senator Hashimoto and well I appreciate Senator Hashimoto reaching out to me and uh
079the chair Kanani. I just found out just a couple of days ago about this this hearing. Can I just comment? You know, um, you know, I I'm really concerned at your lack of preparation to come to this committee without knowing just the basics of where information is gathered. Uh, being a former legislator, I would think that you would have the knowledge to be able to at least do your homework, come in a little bit more prepared. Um, and you've mentioned multiple times that, you know, you're coming in with fresh eyes. We don't need fresh eyes. We need experienced eyes. We need eyes that know uh where things can get done short term and know where it can get done long term. Um I did not uh get a email or a phone call from you
080asking to share about what your thoughts were in this position. Um so so I appreciate you being here. Um, I I'm I'm again uh thankful for your opportunity, your willingness to serve, but you know, I'm I'm just not sure that you're taking this seriously because you're coming in from the Senate. You've been in this building before. You know how it works. You know that this is going to be a committee that's probably going to ask you hard questions. Um, for you to say that you are kind of like a get hired for the job person and then you're going to start to do the work, that's unacceptable. you are going to be a part of a department that parents are not feeling secure. Uh whether that be in the truency rates are increasing exponentially. Uh
081you have uh buses that have been cancelled primarily in my district which has contributed to the try rates. You have facilities yes that are lacking. Uh but there is more than just the facilities. Um there's the curriculum. you have high schoolers in my district that are graduating with third grade reading level. Okay. So, um again, I see that you have a very impressive resume. Um and maybe if this was for a different position that I would feel compelled or even more um impressed to probably see this thing through. But right now, you're coming in at a time where the department is really needing to strengthen itself, especially its trust with the community. And right now, just with you saying that you didn't do any research, you you you didn't know that there was a separation
082of departments, I I I I have a hard time believing that you don't have the knowledge from being a former representative to be able to at least make the necessary phone calls, at least reach out to the committee members and say, "Hey, this is something that I just got a call on, but I'm passionate about it. This is something that I want to do." And so for me, I I I'm seeing a lack of um desire to be here. As you said, you just got the call a couple days ago. Um and even if that were the case, I would expect somebody um with your background and with your knowledge here in the building to know what that means and to be able to come in here prepared. So, I'm not sure where things might
083be falling through the cracks, but I am really concerned um that that I I I I'm just I'm just really concerned. Um so, I'll just I'll just leave it at that. Chair, sorry. I just wanted to make that comment that we we really have to start getting qualified people to serve on this board to be able to keep the department accountable and to make sure that things are moving forward. So, thank you very much, Chair Senator. Thank you very much for your comments. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Muay for being here. You know, I I think it's great that you're very much interested in facilities. I I think what I'm trying to figure out is your statement that you didn't look into, you know, projects with with Senator Decort. Yeah, when we talked yesterday, one of
084the first things you told me was that the Department of Educ or the the legislature shouldn't be line iteming items and that we need to go support the DOE in their lump sums. And so, but so then that indicates to me that you actually did hear things about what's going on at the DOE and you should have formed an opinion to come to that conclusion. Yet, you're coming here today and telling us that you you haven't looked into projects. So, I'm just trying to figure out what is it? Which one is it? are are do you know what's going on or are you going to look at it after you're confirmed? Because I think it's really important to understand where you actually stand because I'm I'm concerned that you're you came to me and said
085we need to support lump sums and then all of a sudden you're saying okay we're okay with line items but I don't know it it depends on what audience you're you're talking to but I I need to know what exactly is your position you know Senator Hos thank you very much thank you for having me yesterday I've been talking to Jango they're basically going on lump sum so that's the reason why I brought it up I mean what I'm saying light on each of the senators legislators also represent have line item uh things they need for their district. That's what I mentioned, you know. It it it just said I didn't know about that DAX took care of uh neighbor islands. I thought, you know, D was handling everything, you know. So, I didn't know
086that. I mean, to me, yeah, shame on myself for not really digging deeper, but I was just looking at more on that end to bring forward what I see was a problem. That's all. I mean, as far as the party one and two, yes, I need to get involved in those to see what's out there. I mean talking to the different principles and everything else. I just need to make sure that their concern is met and also the concerns of the legislators like you, the senators and the house because you are basically the one are the policy makers to make things work and we are just basically an extension of your arm to see that everything is carried out and basically on our side we have to be upright forright to give you the proper
087information as we go forward and because you are the governing body for us to administer. So, so what is it? Are you for line items or are you for lump sum as legislators you guys been lying on? Because I was looking at the way that the university did theirs. So, I'm looking at more on the lump sum. So, that way that way the money don't get expired or Okay. So, then it does it conflicts with your original statement that legislators are looking at the DOE asking where's my project? What what is happening to it? So, how do we reconciliate those two statements of us making sure that we get what we want for our community or what the community is desiring for their own community? We're the we're the conduits for that and you said
088that was the problem and then that's not happening. So then how do we ensure that that's going to happen if we have a lump sum? Well, I need to go talk to the people in charge and facilities on our side. I mean on not my side on DOE. I need to see where the structure form is. I hear what you're saying. I mean I need to go because you get some new people on board on the facility side. I need to see where do you go? What's the track record what is their strategic plan? What the progress to come out? I need to see what is their formula to do things. I'm just mentioning what I I've been talking to uh with Jangoville. That's what you mentioned and basically I know for us before we
089just took a line item for us to make a request and hoping that the uh the forebears which is DOE or DAGs DAGs at that time to carry out your mission that that that this thing is built. Okay. Well, I guess I guess all we want to know is where you stand on the issue and and so when you go all around and and you know confusing what the issue is, I think it's hard for us to really understand what we're voting for, right? And I think well if you want to look at this way if the representative would be a line item you know I mean I mean the question is you're asking line item or lumpsum right I'm just worried about the money doesn't get left okay so so you're not taking a
090position now you you're just saying oh because basically the money that's allocated but it's a banual budget it's either for two years it can be taken away if if there's no productive T or we got in a project. Okay. So, so now we're disregarding what the community needs though because it's just up to I'm not saying we're disregarding what the community need. It just made it a process what the DO is doing right now. I mean the point is that the projects are not coming out on a timely matter, right? I think that's what I'm getting at because I cannot look because monies are allocated by your your fiscal year and your biou is the will of the legislature to take it out or or or continue to the next year. Right. So that's what
091I'm getting at. I mean, maybe I never answer your question, but I'm just saying that somehow the money got to be there for them to carry on because it it takes more than two years to get a project moving, right? But how do how do then we ensure that the projects are going to the places that we need it to go and what role does a legislature have in that? Well, first of all, we have to look at a structure with DOE, with the new people on board to see where it going. I need I mean I need to see what is what was their process and method what they've been doing because it seems like it doesn't work. Okay. Well I mean it I really haven't chance to talk to the people who handles
092this. All I know we have a problem. It's just that you know for us on a public sector side private sector side you know we have a process you know it take one or two years for design then you have permitting then construction everything else. But so the question is I'm just worried that the money will last and the money will be pulled out because depending what happened during the session depending on our criteria or what I just want to make sure that the money doesn't cover to do your project it stays there you know I'm just I'm just okay okay yeah I think you're confusing it more but you know as long as you know I I think what I'm trying to understand is where your concept is your framework going into it I
093think it's it's a little murky but let's move on So what what is your understanding of how you know as we talked about that facilities OPFO is more than just facilities. What is your take on what where we are with school lunches? School lunches I mean I know we we try to do from farm to school that didn't work out. I mean to me on lunches we we need to have a better way of facilities for them to have good good lunches and also economically. I mean the question is depending where the school either like some schools they have cafeterias where they have a feeder school where the lunches goes but we have to get nutritious school nutritious lunches and if we want to go back to farmtot that'll be nice but you know we
094like to see that instead of so are you aware that the DOE is not following the legislative mandate on how much we charge for school lunches? Yes. And so so what do you think the board should do about that? huddle and do something about it. Are you aware that the your your deputy superintendent of the department of education came in recently and said there is no plan for the board of education to move forward? I don't know about that. I was pointing. So what what do you think should happen? He's basically listening to what the legislator is saying. So so so the the department's view is that we better change the law so it complies with what you guys the department is charging. Do you think that's sufficient and that do you think that's the
095best way to plan moving forward? No, it's it's not the way to plan because it uh the UAE comes in asking for that. It has to be a mutual agreement, you know, as as policy makers, we have make sure that who benefits is the kids, you know. Okay. So, so what would what will you do about this kind of thing if you're on the board of education? I would basically work collectively with the rest of our board members to see what is the ultimate results and work with the stakeholders at the legislators to see what is a good compromise to do it right. Okay. And if you're not following a legislative statute then what is the role of the board of education? If we're not then we have to find out what why we're not.
096I mean the key is that if we come to an agreement or make a compromise and we're not following there's something wrong with that system. Okay. Okay. So, you're going to you're going to look into that if you get confirmed. Yeah. Okay. I mean, basically, it's a collective effort with the rest of the board. I'm just going to be one out of the uh Yeah. You you have the legislative experience, you and the chair, right? Yeah. But the point I'm saying that we it's a collective board where everybody has to compromise or agree upon and provide the pros and cons. That's what I'm getting. It's more of a discussion, a heavy discussion, and we have to look at and tell the scenarios. If you do this way, what's going to happen? you do the other
097what's going to happen there's not a perfect world we just need to have a thoroughly thorough discussion and basically what it benefits is our kikis and the parents you know ultimately we have to work to see what is that I mean there's no right or wrong it's more how do we collaborate where's the compromise point everybody has their point what they want to do you know I'm looking at more for us as a board to be collectively but work with you guys we are here to agree or disagree, but a point I'm getting that at least we know where we stand and if there's a compromise, so be it. You know what I mean? So, so all I wanted to hear from you is that there will be you will commit to creating a plan
098to figure out what needs to happen in that arena, right? And I think that should be the top of mind of what you should be going and basically with your fellow members. What you say right now? Yes. Affirmative. Okay. Thank you, chair. Thank you. Sorry, I just have one more problem. Um, Mike, uh, and excuse me for being brushed, but, uh, did you have the intention of coming to this committee and just breezing through, getting the votes, move on, get on the board? You're trying to determine your level of seriousness here. No, because my colleagues are asking you questions and it doesn't seem as though you have direct answers where we are looking to put somebody in this position that has already a plan in place. You already know you have an advantage being an
099elected official prior to this. So you somewhat know how um the policies and legislature works and things like that. So you do have an advantage. I would think that you would take that as the advantage to help bring the real time execution of projects, plans, and solutions that we need here. So, um my my question to you is did you come to this committee with the intention that you were going to breeze through, get the votes, go to the floor, get the votes, and be a member of the board? Senator, it's a good question. The answer to you is flat no. Okay. The reason why I'm having a hard time because the reason why I'm telling you as we get older we and we get prosperous vertically like I mentioned about the rights bill I'm
100giving back okay I'm giving back whatever I have work and because anything in life is always people connection people you meet how you can help them I'm not turning my cheek because somebody needs help I tell you about some of the nonprofit organization I'm helping right now why would I help them we're not looking for somebody to give back if we needed that we would have hired philanthropist. We're looking for somebody to be a member of the board that will hold the superintendent's office accountable to make sure that when it comes to the legislature and then the department of education that these two are aligning. So, and so that's why again my concern is is that you didn't prepare for this meeting and you didn't prepare for the questioning that you would have had on
101the board. So my only other logical thought is that you thought you were going to come in and just breeze through it. Senator a flat no. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, chair. No question. He says reconvening the committee on education. We are going to GM on GM761 to advise and consent on Deanna Dolier for the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board and GM774. Also for the uh board of education gubernatorial nominee Wesley Low and GM776 for board of education for nominee Sylvia Lee and on GM775 we are going to defer on GM 775. So members, oh I'm sorry. So for GM775, defer to April 11th, 2025 at 3:01 p.m. in this room 229 to allow some followup with educa edu uh members, other members. Okay, questions if not for GM761 recommendation on Diana Dolier is
102to advise and consent. Yes, chair vai on GM761 chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Chair votes I. Uh vice chair is excused. Senator Hashimoto I. I vote I. Senator Dort I. Chair your recommendations adopted. Thank you. For GM774, recommendation is to advise and consent to nominee Wesley Ro for the board of education for a term to expire 6:30 2028. Chair votes I. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent on GM774. Chair votes I. Vice chair is excused. Senator Hashimoto I. I vote I. Senator Dort I. Chair recommendations adopted. That was 774. That was 776. Okay. For GM776 for advice to chair is recommending to advise and consent for gubernatorial nominee Sylvia Lee for the board of education for a term to expire June 30th, 2028. Chair votes I. GM776. Chair's recommendation is to advise
103and consent. Chair votes I. Vice chair is excused. Senator Hashimoto I. I vote I. Senator Dort I. Chair recommendations adopted. Thank you. and for GM775 to advise and consent on ruminatorial nominee Michael Mawai to the board of education. The recommendation that chair is going to to defer until April 11, 2025 at 3:01 p.m. in this conference room 229 and chair real quick comment. Yes. And and and thank you members and thank you everybody for being here. I think it's a good opportunity for um Mr. and heard the comments and questions and concerns and I think it's a good opportunity for us to follow up um within this next week and and kind of uh lay out all those those conditions and see um get better information and for yourself as well you know some of
104the concerns and maybe looking at all the things that um we would like for you to look at and and can come back for the decision- making next time. Thank you. Thank you chair hearings.