Nonpartisan Races (Only Contested Races Profiled)
Paul Bryant
Age: 63
Job: Writer, art critic and farmer
Past: Web site: www.Paul-BRYANT.info
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
In the mid-’90s, I locally taught remedial English, Japanese & elementary reading. My participation in both Laupahoehoe SCBM and School Community Council gives me a hands-on perspective on how a community interacts with both the DOE and BOE. My multicultural background includes college level teaching and lecturing internationally as well as being a former independent business owner — all certainly widening the scope through which I view problems and possible solutions. The BOE certainly needs more non-DOE participation in its decision making process while I firmly believe we should put the public back in public education.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Comparing low enrollment schools here in the outer islands with those of the more concentrated Oahu student populations is like saying the price for apples and oranges should be the same as both are fruits. I believe consolidation could be considered in certain geographic instances but the BOE also needs to consider that once a school closes it most probably will NEVER be reopened. And the BOE should further consider the ever-increasing cost of transportation as well as rising costs for any possible new or replacement facilities. Fullest use of established schools is the most sensible plan of action.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
Personally I was disappointed the contract approved a drug testing policy that was ONLY directed toward teachers. I feel for it to be effective it should cover every person from top administrators and office personnel down to custodial staffers. It should further include every person working in any capacity (volunteer or paid) on every campus. But since the BOE apparently acquiesced when that contract was agreed to between the HSTA and DOE, it should now be followed and the costs borne by the DOE. If not - contracted teacher raises are certainly in legal jeopardy and more taxpayer dollars could be lost.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
Preschools have proven to be a tremendous boon aiding children to excel in grade school and beyond. I feel every advantage should be given each child to become a better student and ultimately a better citizen. Any efforts in those directions are to be both supported and applauded. Creating a positive learning situation for all future development may actually do much in the long run to lower other incidental taxpayer costs as each fully educated student matures into productive adulthood. When I refer to incidental I mean a diverse litany of state paid programs, i.e.; welfare / unemployment / health care.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
The current DOE system where teachers can be and are shuttled from school to school or even left dangling at the end of the school year needs to be severely curtailed. Qualified teachers who have proven themselves competently well-suited to their positions should retain the full option of remaining where they are and not be shuffled per the whims of a DOE bureaucracy. As for the need of more qualified teachers — making those positions available to out-of-state job-seekers is certainly an option that needs both examination and vetting.
J. William Sanborn
Age: 61
Job: Self-employed, property management. Current SCC vice chair implementing ACT 51 options to decentralization
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Hands-on community volunteer, business and professional advocate and common sense decision-maker.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Decentralize, refocus responsibilities for administration, delivery and accountability through home rule school districts and fully fund.
Fully fund alternative schools showing better average results than public schools average. Explore student vouchers.
Consolidate if within, say, a three-mile radius if warranted otherwise equal educational opportunities must be delivered into local communities as reasonable, equally and fair as possible, not solely based upon cost justifications.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
Yes to testing and DOE funded. Public trust requires zero tolerance and it “trumps” the civil liberties argument.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
Early childhood development is the key to improvement in long-term results. Implement standards guidelines statewide but fund implement and deliver it through home rule districts.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Accept national standards mainland credentials; encourage attractive incentives for completing accreditation; redistribute funding to better support those employees that are individually responsible for delivering quality education — the teacher.
Patrick Walsh
Age: 46
Job: Catholic Charities-foster parent, farmer, food scientist
Past: Chairman, Job Service Employer Comm.
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have six children who have attended public schools in Hawaii. I have assisted with case work for public school students for 22 years. I am active in current public school legislative research. I have written and published position papers on Hawaii public school issues. I am energetic , willing to serve and open to opposing viewpoints. I am a strong advocate for Hawaii’s public school students.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
I oppose closing rural schools. The problems with low enrollment have more to do with the failure of the DOE to provide safe and academically successful schools. This causes many parents urban and rural to pay for private education or seek out charter schools. Instead of attempting to close schools on Oahu and Hawaii Island, I will work with local parents seeking to convert them to charter schools so they can rebuild their attendance by improving the attractiveness of the school. Communities support schools and schools support communities. There are no state tax dollar savings in closing rural schools.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
No. There are federal tax monies in an account already set aside for funding the drug testing program. It would be so much better for our public school system if they would refocus their efforts on the job at hand: Providing education in a proven safe and focused environment, conductive to student discovery. I hope I am elected to the Board of Education. There is an obligation to uphold a duly negotiated and approved union contract with the goal for our children to have a drug free teacher, competent and focused on their success.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
I support early education but instead of attempting to construct an expanded school system, I would seek to provide funds to parents placing their children in the accredited preschool of their choice. I am certain this is a far more cost-effective approach which will also provide a vastly superior educational outcome while supporting cultural diversity. I would support charter preschools, possibly contained in underused DoE facilities. I would also work to provide parents more resources to support organized preschool education in the home.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
I will work to ensure that the most experienced and qualified teachers have incentives to stay in the classroom rather than seeking non-instructional positions. I will work to ensure that classroom programs have the materials and equipment they need. I will support discipline in the classroom-a major cause of low teacher morale. I will work to expand the support teachers receive from school administrators by reducing the number of off-island meetings administrators are required to attend. This can be done by reducing meetings and by the use of teleconferencing which would in turn reduce travel expenses.
Herbert Watanabe
Age: 80
Job: Retired, Department of Education
Past: Board of Education member since 1997
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
A member of the Board of Education completing 12 years of elected service. Served as BOE chairman three years. Served as BOE vice chairman of the board seven years. I have been an educator with 39 years of service, seven years as a teacher, one year as vice principal, three years as a principal, over 28 years as a district business specialist.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
I support the closing of or consolidating schools on a case by case basis; especially where enrollment continues to decline and where such decline or low enrollment affects enhancement of learning, having multi grade classes that affect effective educational outcome.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
I do not support using existing Department of Education funds to pay for drug testing of teachers. The provision of drug testing in the teacher’s contract is an unfunded mandate. Taking existing funds for drug testing would take allocations away from students. The DOE is already faced with budget cuts up to $20 million thus far.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.
Learning begins as early as or earlier than age one. I firmly believe the sooner a child is provided structured learning experiences, the greater the development of knowledge takes place. I support a statewide preschool system. Funding for such endeavor must be in addition to operating the current K-12 programs.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
The DOE recruits nearly one thousand new teachers each year. Every effort must be made to recruit teachers who are highly qualified in their grade or subject specialty. The department must expand opportunities for professional development to enable teachers to become highly qualified.
