Hawaii’s public school superintendent confirmed two new delegates after the school board voted Thursday to approve the creation of new positions, despite public concerns over a lack of transparency in the hiring process. Earned.
Both positions are salaries of $190,000 and are temporary until Superintendent Keith Hayashi receives permanent funding from Congress.
Curt Otaguro, State Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services since 2019. Community of the University of Hawaii He is Tammi Oyadomari-Chun who is a senior official in the college system. From Monday onwards, I will join current Interim Assistant Superintendent Heidi Armstrong.
In his presentation to the board, Superintendent Keith Hayashi highlighted Oyadmari Chun’s experience working with educational policy and data during his current position in the University of Hawaii community college system. He then expressed his confidence in Otaguro’s ability to modernize the education ministry’s systems and operations.
He will play a key role in helping both Vice Superintendents determine how the department will respond to the impact of the pandemic and how emergency aid funds for primary and secondary schools will be used over the next two years. added.
“We believe the sheer amount of work the department has to do justifies these positions at this time,” Hayashi said.
However, the appointments of Haru Oyadori and Otaguro met with some criticism during their public testimony at the BOE meeting on Thursday.
Julie Reyes Oda, math teacher at Nanakuli High and Middle School and Leeward President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said DOE should instead spend funds on two new positions to improve teacher compensation. I said. She added that the DOE already has two similar positions for her, referring to the deputy director of the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance and the deputy director of the Office of Facilities and Operations.
“The department and board would rather focus on what’s happening in schools and classrooms than spend $500,000 on more managerial positions,” Oda testified.
Others expressed concerns about the transparency of the appointment process.
Corey Rosenlee, former HSTA president and high school teacher at James Campbell High School, called on the school board to scrutinize Oyadomari-Chun’s approach to evaluation and instruction, and that during the DOE’s assignment, Oyadomari-Chun We raised concerns that Mr. Chun had previously worked as a deputy superintendent. Emphasis on test scores and standardized assessment.
However, the board did not question the two candidates before approving the nominations by an 8-1 vote. Rosenlee said it set a dangerous precedent for the hiring process.
In his testimony, Rosenley said, “I think the board has an obligation to have more public debate about the election of the Vice Superintendent.” and hired an individual for the position.”
board member Christine Kiri Namauyou He also expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in the hiring process. Prior to the meeting, it was unclear whether the positions of both deputy superintendents were temporary.
Hayashi was appointed as the new DOE superintendent in May after serving on an interim basis in that role for about a year.
“I want you to succeed, because in order for all of our students to succeed, you need to succeed,” Namau told Hayashi during the meeting. I’m a little disappointed in how this is playing out and how transparent it is.”
Namau was the only board member to vote against the appointment. Other board members acknowledged public dissatisfaction, but emphasized the importance of trusting Hayashi and his assessment of current needs within the department.
David Sun-Miyashiro, executive director of HawaiiKidsCAN, believes Chun Oyadmari and Otaguro can help Hayashi manage public education in Hawaii, the only state with a single school district. said. The decision to delegate responsibilities among the three deputy superintendents is unconventional, but could help the department manage work more efficiently, Sun-Miyashiro added. rice field.
“Every dollar counts, but the reality is that investment in strategic thinking and roles can probably help leadership to be more effective and thoughtful about how to tackle big challenges.” I think…it seems like a pretty wise investment to me,” Miyagi said.
Otaguro, whose term expires on December 5, emphasized his determination to work with faculty and the principal in his new role.
“You’re right about the problem of too much overhead and no money going to students,” Otaguro said shortly after the meeting. “But as I said earlier, this division is large, so what we have to do is build a stronger team, a leadership team that complements each other.”
In a presentation to the board, Mr. Hayashi noted that the DOE currently spends 3.54% of its annual budget on state government operations. The national average is 6%.
Board member Lauren Moriarty also voted in favor of both Vice Superintendents, expressing support for Hayashi’s vision for the two positions. But she said the board needs to move forward with its relationships with stakeholders and community members.
“We live in the real world, and in the real world there are many people who express serious concerns about spending more money on tangible things that don’t benefit students.” Moriarty said, “It’s hard to be successful when you lose the support and trust of a large number of participants who are so important in this entire educational process.”
The Civil Beat Education Report was supported by a grant from the Chamberlin Family Philanthropy.
