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A theme of fiscal accountability emerged as 10 of the 11 candidates running for Oahu’s three at-large seats on the Hawaii State Board of Education answered questions from the public Monday night.

The first and only board of education candidate forum, sponsored by Save Our Schools Hawaii, was held in the architecture auditorium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Approximately 75 people attended, and many more submitted questions via e-mail. Brian Yamane was the only at-large candidate not present.

At the forefront of many candidates’ — and community members’ — minds seemed to be the education department’s current budget crisis. Nine of the 11 candidates talked about last year’s infamous Furlough Fridays while explaining their decision to run. The fiscal management theme emerged repeatedly among contenders during the 12 or so rounds of questions.

Seven of the 13 elected seats on the board will be on the November ballot. Voters will also face the question whether they want to dump the elected board and replace it with a board appointed by the governor. One of the candidates, Melanie Bailey, actually said she supported an appointed board.

Incumbent Kim Coco Iwamoto recalled that the department had a $478 million surplus when she first ran for the board in 2006. Bailey talked about her familiarity with budgets and spreadsheets. Todd Hairgrove said he’s running because the kids deserve better than furlough days. Pamela Young cited her experience as a CPA, asserting that skill could prove helpful to the education department in solving budgetary puzzles. Noela Andres-Nance said she would like to see more fiscal empowerment in the school system.

“I would like to know more precisely what they mean when they talk about this fiscal accountability,” said Save Our Schools Hawaii leader Marguerite Higa.

Other types of accountability also came out in the questions and answers: teacher accountability and principal accountability.

The candidates voiced a diversity of opinions about how to solve current problems or address specific needs in Hawaii’s school system. Most expressed optimism. But one contender stood out in his vocal criticism of the system and his skepticism about the future.

“I have no intention to preserve this institution,” said Malcolm Kirkpatrick, who never veered from his message of decentralizing the school system and promoting homeschooling. It is difficult to try educational theories and learn what works if the experiment group is a large statewide education system with no control groups, he reasoned.

When asked what qualities the next superintendent of schools should have, Marcia Linville answered “Superman or Wonderwoman.”

“I was looking at hiring Iron Man, because I understand he has quite a bit of money,” Bailey joked before expressing hope for a superintendent with strong administrative skills, the ability to delegate and a clear vision for the long-term future of Hawaii’s schools.

Iwamoto, Young and Kathy Bryant-Hunter said a good superintendent should be able to develop strong alliances with legislators, the governor and in the community.

“The department’s problems are not going away for a very long time,” Kirkpatrick said. “We need a superintendent who can manage this ongoing catastrophe and mollify people.”

In sharp contrast to Kirkpatrick’s response, candidate Roberta Phillips Mayor said the next superintendent needs to have a deep understanding that the real business of education occurs in the classroom and must have the ability to inspire school staff to focus all their efforts and resources on supporting classroom instruction.

“This is certainly the most diverse field of candidates we have ever seen,” said Jeff Gere, a member of SOS Hawaii, after the forum concluded.

Candidates Bryant-Hunter and Bailey said they were disappointed there wasn’t a higher turnout for the forum. With the department at arguably its lowest point in history, more people should be exhibiting more interest in education issues, Bryant-Hunter said.