GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS RETIRED MOANALUA MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAROLINE WONG TO BOARD OF EDUCATION

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today appointed Caroline S. Wong to the Board of Education to fill the seat vacated by Breene Harimoto, who resigned last month.  Wong will serve on a temporary basis until a new member is elected in the November General Election to serve out the remaining two years of Harimoto’s term.  Her appointment takes effect immediately.

“I appreciate Caroline Wong’s continuing commitment to ensuring Hawai‘i’s students receive the best possible education,” said Governor Lingle.  “As a former teacher, vice principal and principal, Caroline understands what our schools need in order for students to succeed.  Caroline has been a tireless advocate for improving Hawai‘i’s public education system, and has proven her ability to work effectively with the Board of Education, the community and her fellow educators in addressing the challenges facing our schools.”

Wong, who worked for the Department of Education (DOE) for 40 years, served as principal of Moanalua Middle School from 1991 until retiring last year.  During her 18-year tenure as principal, she helped guide the restructuring of Moanalua from a traditional junior school into a middle school.  In 2005, she was named the Hawai‘i State Middle School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.  In 2008, Wong was a semi-finalist in the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. 

Wong first joined the DOE in 1969 as a teacher at Leilehua High School.  She also was a student support services educational specialist and taught at Moanalua Intermediate (prior to the school’s name change to Moanalua Middle School).  In addition, Wong served as vice principal of Moanalua High School and vice principal of ‘Aiea Intermediate School.

She is active in numerous educational associations, including the Association of School Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Hawai‘i Association of Secondary School Administrators (past president), National Middle School Association and Hawai‘i Middle School Association.  Wong previously served on the Hawai‘i Teachers Standards Board.

Wong earned masters degree in social science and secondary education from Michigan State University and a masters degree in educational administration from the University of Hawai‘i.  She is a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois.

Attachment: Photo-Caroline Wong

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LYNN FINNEGAN STATEMENT ON CAROLINE WONG AS BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTMENT

HONOLULU - House Minority Leader, Lynn Finnegan, candidate for Lt. Governor issued the following statement on Governor Linda Lingle's announcement that she will name retired Moanalua Middle School principal, Caroline Wong, to the Board of Education to fill the seat vacated by Breene Harimoto:

"Caroline Wong will be a tremendous addition to the current Board of Education. I have known Ms. Wong since 2003 and have partnered with her as an education expert during my service in the state House of Representatives. As a former teacher and vice-principal and long time, successful principal at Moanalua Middle School in my district, I am confident Caroline has the on-the-ground knowledge of what is needed at the school level for Hawaii's students.

"Her experience is needed on the Board, until the Constitutional Amendment is passed and Hawaii's next governor chooses the members of the Board of Education.  On the future, appointed Board individuals like Ms. Wong will be imperative to transition the public education system of Hawaii to one that is more student focused and to ensure that actions are driven by the school-level needs. 

"As Lt. Governor, I plan to be a direct liaison with the Board of Education from the Executive Branch and I look forward to working with Ms. Wong in this capacity."

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