Says BOE controlled by union, should be appointed

Hilo, Hawaii – Video by David Corrigan

“How many people can name me three people on the Board of Education?” asked Governer Linda Lingle on Wednesday in Hilo.

While the room full of business owners with the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce knew Big Island rep Herb Watanabe, there were no hands raised for the other two names.

The point was made to illustrate Lingle’s quest to restructure the Hawaii BOE, by making the positions appointed and not elected.

If such a question would be passed by ballot vote, the governor said the (next) administration would pick the board members.

Lingle warned that the legislature could decide to create a BOE selection committee if the proposal were to be passed, which would offer a limited list of nominees for her to pick from. She says this is what has happened with the UH Board of Regents that she must appoint.

Lingle said it is not a lack of money that is the problem with the BOE, but rather a lack of accountability.

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