ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Voters will decide this November not only who they wish to serve on their elected Hawaii State Board of Education, but also whether they want to do away with the elected board altogether. If voters pass the for an appointed board of education, who wins the gubernatorial race could have a more direct impact on educational policies than it has in more than four decades.

So Civil Beat asked the three main candidates for governor the following questions:

1. Do you support the constitutional amendment that would make the education board an appointed body?  If so, why?  If not, why not?
2. If the constituents decide they want an appointed board to replace the current elected one, what would your ideal appointment process look like?

None of the three candidates would take a strong position on the issue. And oddly enough, the one who has not yet released his official education plan (Mufi Hannemann) was the only one who shared the qualities he would look for in appointees, should the amendment pass.

Democratic candidate Neil Abercrombie said he believes too much emphasis has been placed on the appointed vs. elected board issue and said it should not be the foremost initiative for school improvement. He said reforms should focus on improving accountability by making the board’s role clear and by making the governor ultimately responsibility for Hawaii’s schools.

Republican candidate James “Duke” Aiona said he supported voters’ right to decide whether they prefer an appointed or an elected board. He will work with whatever type of board the electorate chooses, and pair it with a comprehensive audit of the Hawaii Department of Education to figure out what education reforms Hawaii needs.

Democratic candidate Mufi Hannemann said it makes no difference to him what the voters decide, because his tenure as mayor of Honolulu gave him the experience required to work equally well with either an appointed or elected board. If he is required to appoint board members, he said he would seek respectable, committed members with diverse backgrounds who can represent all of the islands.

Their full responses, verbatim, are below (in alphabetical order by last name):

Neil Abercrombie

I believe there has been too much emphasis on an appointed school board versus an elected school board as the primary initiative to improve our schools. When I talk to people about Hawaii’s education system, they tell me the bigger issue is that there is no one taking ultimate responsibility for improving our schools. I believe the person who needs to provide the leadership is the Governor.

However the voters decide to select school board members this November, I will work with the school board to ensure that its role is clear. I believe the public schools would be best served if the Hawaii State Board of Education focuses on setting broad educational policy.

James “Duke” Aiona

I support the right of our citizens to decide in the 2010 General Election whether the Board of Education should be appointed or elected. I believe that our parents and school officials should be allowed to decide what is best for our children.

With the results of a public vote, and an independent and comprehensive audit of the DOE, I would have the information necessary to direct the most effective restructuring of our public education system. This is a major undertaking, but working with a fully engaged and involved public, we will get the job done.

Mufi Hannemann

Whether the Board of Education is elected or appointed, I will bring the board into the fold of my administration. The superintendent will be a cabinet member and I would be a champion for education, working with the board and superintendent to make public education a priority at the legislature. Having had the experience of being the CEO of the 12th largest municipality in the nation, I can work successfully with either appointed or elected bodies, e.g., the Police Commission or Board of Water Supply, the City Council or state Legislature. I have a proven record in bringing stakeholders together to develop solutions.

I would approach it the same way I have approached appointments to other boards and commissions: look for people from diverse backgrounds who are respected in the community and represent all islands, who have the expertise, and who are committed to the mission of the board and commitment to the mission of the board and Department of Education.