STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3819

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 694, 695, 696

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 694, 695, and 696, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Education

 

G.M. No. 694

CATHERINE PAYNE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 695

DWIGHT TAKENO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

 

G.M. No. 696

MARGARET COX,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Catherine Payne, Dwight Takeno, and Margaret Cox for service on the Board of Education.

 

CATHERINE PAYNE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Catherine Payne from the HEE Coalition, Parents and Children Together, HawaiiKidsCAN, Adult Friends for Youth, and numerous individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Payne is presently a Commissioner and Chair of the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission and an Educational Consultant for Ke Alakai Mau, LLC.  Ms. Payne also has extensive work experience in the field of education, including as a mentor for the University of Hawaii College of Education's Education Doctorate in Professional Educational Practices, principal of Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School for fifteen years, and teacher at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School.  According to the testimony, Ms. Payne possesses the knowledge of the public, charter, and university school systems in Hawaii and has served students in Hawaii with honesty, integrity, and clarity through various capacities.  Ms. Payne indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to bring a voice to the Board of Education that reflects a broad and deep understanding of how schools must adjust to effectively educate children for today's world.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Payne's extensive career in the field of education, as well as her prior success in leading positive change in schools, will be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

DWIGHT TAKENO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dwight Takeno from the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; HEE Coalition; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; HawaiiKidsCAN; and numerous individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Takeno is presently the Director of Administrative Services for the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Hawaii System Office and has previous work experience as the Director of Collective Bargaining and Employee Relations for the University of Hawaii System Office, Human Resources Specialist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Interim Executive Director and Chief Negotiator for the Hawaii State Teachers Association.  According to the testimony, Mr. Takeno brings important higher education and charter school perspectives to the Board of Education.  Mr. Takeno indicated in his personal statement that serving on the Board of Education will allow him to give back to the education system that has allowed him and his family to live the life they enjoy, including providing opportunities to grow professionally, individually, and economically.  Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Takeno's professional experience, as well as his integrity and willingness to listen to issues and concerns with an open mind, will be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

MARGARET COX

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Margaret Cox from the HEE Coalition, HawaiiKidsCAN, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Cox's has extensive experience as a teacher, administrator, and Board of Education member, where she was first elected to the State Board of Education in 2004 and served until 2011 when the Board transitioned to an appointed Board.  Ms. Cox is currently serving on the Board with a term to expire June 30, 2018.  Previously, Ms. Cox was a school principal responsible for opening King Kaumualii Elementary School in 1990 and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in 2000.  According to the testimony, Ms. Cox has a good understanding of the goals of the education system in the State, as she has participated in the Department of Education and Board of Education 2017-2020 Strategic Plan and Hawaii's Consolidated State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act.  In her personal statement, Ms. Cox indicated that she brings school level experiences to policy discussions and hopes to explore ways for neighbor island teachers, parents, community members, and students to have their voices heard.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Cox's experience in classroom instruction, educational administration, and education policy, as well as her dedication to public service, will be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair