Letters to the Editor for Saturday — January 31, 2004

• Regional school boards

• Local school boards

• Patriot Act

• Tobacco growing

Regional school boards

In The Garden Island, January 21, front page, our lawmakers denounced the idea of regional school boards. Rep Kawakami stated “I’m not for it” and “That’s not my bag.” Rep Kanoho implied that “There are things that can happen without establishing local school boards.” Rep Gary Hooser seemed to skirt the issue by stating that… “State Department of Education officials (to) make public-school decisions faster and easier.” Finally, Rep. Morita does not say whether or not she would be for regional school boards, but does understand that “in any session, education is always the number-one priority,… even more because of differences on how to get there.”

Our suggestion, since only the constituents of Kaua’i know for sure what they want, is to put the question on the November Ballot. Even if it is agreed that most of Hawai’i want regional boards, there will still be much debate and questions before a final decision iLocal school boards made. After all, the only reason for putting it on the ballot is that the State need not spin its wheels now if a majority of Hawaii citizens do not wish to proceed. Let’s not allow our representatives to make that decision for us.

BOBBIE LOVE,

Kapa’a

Local school boards

As a newcomer to Hawai’i, I arrived with no preconceived notions about Hawai’i’s education system. However, having been involved in education for decades as a teacher, principal, Associate Superintendent for the Arizona Department of Education and a strong supporter of public education, I am following the debate regarding local school boards with great interest. It does not take long for newcomers to hear over and over that if they want their child to receive a quality education in our state, they had better start checking out the private schools and saving money for the tuition.

The ineffectiveness of Hawai’i’s public system is clearly not due to the lack of funding. Spending is sky high. A recent analysis by Bruce Cooper and Bill Ouchi revealed the total per pupil expenditure last year was $10,422 with only 49 cents out of each dollar reaching the classroom. Although the student population has not increased, the state education budget has tripled since 1987, and student achievement remains extremely low. Hawai’i ranks last in the nation on SAT and consistently finds itself in the bottom quarter in other national rankings, along side Mississippi and Louisiana.

Nor is this poor performance due to a lack of dedicated and highly qualified teachers. I have had the opportunity to talk with teachers and principals who work long hours but feel frustrated in a bureaucratic state system where they lack authority to help make important decisions regarding their own schools and students.

Most recently I have read and heard comments blaming the students and their parents for low achievement in Hawai’i’s public schools. Please do not blame our children and their parents for the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of a state system that no longer meets the needs of our schools and communities.

The fact is that less than 27% of the DOE employees are in classrooms doing the crucial work of our schools – teaching. What are the other 73% of the DOE employees doing every day to affect learning? The DOE is huge and has proven over and over that it is incapable of reforming itself.

The current system must change. Teachers and principals must be empowered so they can determine what works best for their students in their schools. Clearly, this will only happen when there are local school boards.

I hope the legislature will let the people of Hawai’i decide the future of public education by putting the question of local school boards on the ballot.

Billie J. Orr, Ed.D.

Kapolei

Patriot Act

The recent letter by Marilyn and Ed Pollack of Hanalei was a reminder to me that while we each hear the same words, we may get an entirely different message. Of course, our individual fundamental beliefs influence the interpretation.

I for one believe President Bush has restored dignity to the office of President, has taken a proactive stand on the defense of our country and it’s citizens, and should be applauded (as he was) for requesting an extension of the Patriot Act. As a result, I heard a strong message from a great leader. Is he without flaws? Of course not. Who is? Nonetheless, I one will stand behind this man less our country fall victim to those who act as “victims.”

A. C. “Sandy” Brodie

Tobacco growing

There always seems to be a lot of effort by Kauaians to discuss agronomic issues in your newspaper. They range from residences being built on agriculturally-zoned CPRs to growing genetically modified plants. I was just wondering why no one ever discusses outlawing tobacco farming. I can’t think of any plant that causes more harm than tobacco. Shouldn’t we set an example for our children, and show them it is unacceptable to grow dangerous plants for a living?

John Wyatt

Kapa’a