The state Board of Education’s decision to have interim Department of Education superintendent Pat Hamamoto hold onto the job on a permanent basis drew praise Friday from Kaua’i education leaders. Kaua’i schools superintendent Daniel Hamada said Hamamoto’s appointment at a
The state Board of Education’s decision to have interim Department of Education superintendent Pat Hamamoto hold onto the job on a permanent basis drew praise Friday from Kaua’i education leaders.
Kaua’i schools superintendent Daniel Hamada said Hamamoto’s appointment at a board meeting Thursday will be good for the state public school system because she went through it as a teacher, principal and deputy superintendent, and knows how to “get things implemented effectively.”
Hamada said Hamamoto supports outgoing school superintendent Paul LeMahieu’s philosophy of “having high expectations of what students should know,” being concerned about their reaching their goals and providing teachers with resources.
LeMaheiu’s resignation in October came amid allegations that he had an intimate relationship with a woman whose company was awarded a contract to help the state comply with the Felix consent decree to provide special-education services to students. LeMahieu denied the allegation but later admitted to an affair with the woman.
Tom Perry, who heads the 800-member Kaua’i branch of the Hawai’i State Teachers Association, said teachers support Hamamoto’s appointment because she “is familiar with the programs that are in place.”
Perry said she has shown support for LeMaheiu’s commitment for academic standards and accountability by educators, business people and residents in helping students.
Teachers have worked to develop the standards and it “would be a shame to see all that effort go to waste,” Perry said.
Hamada said Hamamoto supports educational reform, including “revisiting our program and trying to determine what is effective in helping our student.”
Hamada also said Hamamoto has pushed aggressively for the education department to comply with the Felix decree.
Perry said he wants Hamamoto to “continue to push” to hire qualified teachers.
The board approved giving Hamamoto a four-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000. LeMahieu, was paid $90,000 per year.
Hamamoto was deputy superintendent when she was named interim superintendent Oct. 18 as the board accepted LeMahieu’s resignation.
Hamamoto said she was surprised the board acted so quickly in appointing her to lead the state’s public school system.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
