DUKE AIONA ADDRESSES COMMENTS BY STATE AUDITOR

HONOLULU - Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today issued the following statement in response to recent comments State Legislative Auditor Marion Higa made to a reporter regarding an audit of the State Department of Education.

"I appreciate the legislative auditor's confirmation that the State Department of Education (DOE), which consumes 41 percent of the state budget, has not been subjected to a comprehensive management and financial audit since 1973.

"We need to ensure we get the most out of every dollar we invest in education, and as Governor, I will call for an independent audit of both the operations of the DOE and its handling of state funds.

"An audit of the DOE supply room and an audit of a high school on Windward O‘ahu several years ago discovered serious operational irregularities.

"The public deserves to have a comprehensive audit by an independent firm that is not connected to the State Legislature or other vested interests.

"With the results of the public vote on an appointed Board of Education, and a comprehensive, independent audit of the DOE, I will have the information necessary to direct the most effective restructuring of our public education system in a generation.

"A new Board of Education appointed by the Governor could make this one of its first actions, which would help keep the audit from getting bogged down in the State Legislature and the current Board of Education.

"Our families and communities are united in their support of education reform, and with a fully engaged and involved public, we will get the job done."

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