DoE: Board of Education names interim education leadership

The Hawaii State Board of Education announced its appointment of Keith Hayashi as interim superintendent. Hayashi is currently the deputy superintendent until the end of June 30, 2017. The interim deputy superintendent during this transition period will be current senior assistant superintendent, Amy Kunz.

News Release from Hawaii DoE, 07-Jun-2017

The Hawaii State Board of Education (BOE) today announced its appointment of Keith Hayashi as interim superintendent.  Hayashi is currently the deputy superintendent at the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) until the end of June 30, 2017. In July, he will serve as superintendent for a month-long interim basis.

(NOTE: Hayashi was a member of the Governor's ESSA Team, along with Darrel Galera--but this is not mentioned in the news release.) 

The interim deputy superintendent during this transition period will be current senior assistant superintendent, Amy Kunz.

"I want to thank Keith and Amy for ensuring continuity of operations through their interim appointments until the new superintendent starts in August," said BOE Chairman Lance Mizumoto. "Both leaders understand the work at hand and will be assisting Dr. Kishimoto as she makes her transition to head the Department."

Current Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi will end her term on June 30 after serving in the position since 2010. Last month, the BOE announced its selection of Christina Kishimoto, Ed.D.  as the next HIDOE superintendent. Kishimoto's official start date is Aug. 1, 2017. 

Kishimoto is currently transitioning out of her position as superintendent for the Gilbert Public School district in Arizona. She is in Hawaii this week to meet briefly with board members and HIDOE staff.

"I realize this is a critical time and I want to thank Superintendent Matayoshi and her team for bringing me up to speed as we work towards a smooth transition," stated Kishimoto. "I'm grateful for the time and diligence of all those who want to ensure that I can hit the ground running."

Hayashi is a former complex area superintendent and has served as principal at Waipahu High School since 2009. In February 2017 he was appointed deputy superintendent. He plans to return to Waipahu High at the conclusion of his interim appointment.

Kunz was appointed in 2011 as assistant superintendent of the office of fiscal services and chief financial officer. In 2014, she was appointed to senior assistant superintendent to oversee the additional offices of information technology services, human resources and school facilities and support services.

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New ‘Interim’ Sup’t: A school’s success can’t be measured through rankings

SA: …Ranking schools across these communities reveals nothing, except to spotlight the growing inequities of society….  (And we don’t want anybody to see the inequities that HGEA and HSTA are creating, do we?)

The Department of Education (DOE) and Board of Education (BOE) took a bold step in breaking the paradigm of rating, ranking and classifying schools with labels that suggest the quality of our schools. The new Strive HI performance system takes an approach that supports student learning and school improvement (covers up HGEA and HSTA failure) in line with the new Strategic Plan and flexibilities in federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)…..

read … Already Campaigning to be Kishimoto’s Replacement

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HNN: DoE Priorities Reflect Teachers Union, HGEA Goals

Kishimoto believes Hawaii can become the number one state for education quality, despite a dismaying track record of low teacher recruitment; contract issues within the teachers union; and overcrowded schools.

"Now the challenge for us is to put an implementation plan together," Kishimoto said. "The strategic plan is well written, and it certainly is focused on what members of the field, our teachers and our leaders, have indicated are priorities."

SA: Waipahu High principal will serve as interim superintendent

CB: Hawaii Department Of Education Prepares For Changes At The Top

KHON: Kishimoto says inclusive curriculum for special education and English language learners are just a few of her priorities

June 7, 2017: Hiding Failure: Schools board eliminates tests not required by Feds

May 26, 2017: Hiding Failure: DOE to stop ranking schools