Superintendent finalists interviewed by BOE; HSTA declines to recommend either one

 It will be a couple of weeks before the Board of Education is expected to formally decide who will be the next leader of Hawaii’s public schools. On Thursday, May 11, the BOE held its final interviews with the two finalists, Linda Chen and Christina Kishimoto, as some members of the public called on the board to re-open the search and include finalists with experience in Hawaii.  

Read a complete story with testimony from members of the public who are upset no one with experience in Hawaii is a finalist.

In testimony to the BOE Thursday, HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said, “The HSTA is disappointed that no candidate in Hawaii or with strong ties to the islands made the short list of finalists. We feel knowledge about our unique cultures and our statewide school system is important for our next superintendent to be effective.”   

“We also wish that HSTA would have been allowed to interview the initial eight finalists. This denied HSTA and the full Board of Education the opportunity to potentially compare a local candidate with the two finalists. Lacking complete information makes it difficult for HSTA to know whether these two candidates were the best applicants to be the next superintendent,” Rosenlee added. 

Read all the written testimony submitted to the BOE for May 11's meeting.

Watch the two superintendent finalists' remarks before the BOE as well as testimony about them and the search process. (35-minute video)

Know your rights: Teacher performance ratings

In the month of May, many teachers are receiving their final performance evaluation rating under the Educator Effectiveness System (EES). Teachers who are rated less than effective must receive final notification no later than the third Friday in May (May 19)*.

To qualify for pay increases, a teacher must be rated effective or better. Any teacher who was streamlined this year would carry over their effective or better rating from prior years.

Speak out: ESSA plan and STRIVE HI survey

The Hawaii DOE is seeking feedback on its draft Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan and STRIVE HI accountability system update. ESSA requires all states to submit plans on how to meet the law’s requirements and manage federal funding.

Teachers’ voices are critical in crafting a plan and accountability system that support the classroom experience. As our state reflects on the condition of our school system, we must highlight the ideas of teachers entrusted to shape our children’s future.

The DOE’s ESSA plan and STRIVE HI survey can be found here.

To help you complete the ESSA survey, HSTA has composed these sample answers for each question.

You are welcome to copy and paste our suggestions into the space provided or create your own answers based on your professional expertise.

Teachers must be at the center of education policymaking. Please take five to ten minutes to complete ESSA Plan survey and share your vision of the schools our keiki deserve.

Your kokua is needed for a colleague

Kalaheo High Teacher Luseane Suliafu is an avid, dedicated and hard-working teacher. She had eye problems and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was going on. She went on medical leave in January of last year and then could not return to work with the doctor’s clearance for the 2016-17 school year. She has been on leave without pay since December 2016.

She was approved by the DOE Leave Sharing program for 86 days through May 30, 2017, but still needs donated leave days to recover and recuperate.

Log in to DOE's intranet system for a leave sharing application.

If you are interested in sharing your leave, click here for the leave sharing donation form.

Click here for leave sharing instructions.

Once you have completed the form, you may submit it electronically to the SASA at Kalaheo High School at Dominique_Silva/KALAHEOH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us, fax it to 254-7907 or mail it to Kalaheo High School, ATTN: SASA, 730 Iliana Street, Kailua, HI 96734.
Mahalo!

Increase your skills and pay with HSTA PD! Enrollment underway

We are happy to announce HSTA's professional development summer courses are open for enrollment, with teachers teaching teachers. The courses include 21^st century learning, inclusion, STEM, environmental education, cultural-based education, classroom management and teacher leadership.

HSTA’s Summer Internship Program is available on Oahu and Maui and endorsed in a recent Lotus Notes email by the state superintendent. We are also offering level two of the summer intern program for those teachers who are currently teaching secondary CTE. Please also consider registering for the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Jump Start course that will help you understand the NBCT process and get you started towards receiving a five-year $5,000 stipend from the state.

Read more about HSTA PD courses and register here.

Schools have been paying for teachers to take HSTA courses and receive PD credits, since they take place outside of the workday. To take advantage of this great deal, please register yourself for the course (so that you secure a seat) and once your school sends us payment, we will process a reimbursement to you. Schools can use HSTA Vendor #021749

Institute Week dates set for 2018

Save these dates for Institute Days across the state next year:

Mon, Feb. 12       Oahu
Tues, Feb. 13      Kauai
Wed, Feb. 14       Molokai
Thur, Feb. 15       Maui and Lanai
Fri, Feb. 16   Hawaii Island

HSTA’s Windward Chapter invites teachers across the state to register for free leadership training provided by NEA this fall. We need at least 30 members to register by May 19 in order to receive the training from NEA experts.

Read more about free leadership training from NEA. Register by May 19.

COME celebrate WITH US! May is Member Appreciation Month, and we’re thanking you for everything you do every day to help shape the future. Here’s how we’re celebrating you:

“31 DAYS OF GIVING” GIVEAWAY — enter daily through May 31, 2017 for a chance to win one of 400 prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize
THANK-YOU GIFTS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS — to help you save money all year long
INSPIRING VIDEOS — see the impact members have on their students

Don’t miss out! Come join the celebration at www.neamb.com/appreciation

NEA members SAVE 20% on Graduation, Mother's Day and Father’s Day flowers and gifts

Celebrate Moms, Dads, Grads with our best and brightest graduation flowers, keepsake gifts and gourmet treats from 1800Flowers.com or 1800Baskets.com. NEA members get 20 percent off their purchase! For more information and to place your order, go to www.neamb.com and look for 1800Flowers.com under the Discounts tab.

Up-to-date information on merchant discounts, shipping terms and WOW Points appears on the NEA Click & Save Web page at www.neamb.com/clickandsave and may change at any time. Don’t forget to use your WOW Points—they’re just like cash (100 WOW Points = $1; plus, no blackout dates and no expiration)!

Regal movie ticket deal for HSTA members

Buy 10 Regal movie tickets for $89.90. Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Windward Stadium 10, Pearl Highlands Stadium 12, Wharf Cinema Center (Lahaina). www.neamb.com/clickandsave

Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts

Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii.