Teacher Ron: Furloughing teachers should not be an option. What are your thoughts on this? Also, has the board really looked hard at administration and programs to see what can be cut with less pain?

Karen Knudsen: The board is currently looking at a number of options re: addressing the current budget situation. We agree that furloughing teachers should be a last resort, unfortunately, everything is currently on the table. The board is continuing to look hard at the administration and all programs. On Monday, June 22, the board's Budget Committee will hold a meeting for further discussion.

Gloria Hammond: I appreciated your comment in the paper this morning regarding Wailupe School, and I agree that if the facility becomes offices, that it would next to impossible to reclaim the space for educational programs. I believe that given most of the opinions I have heard about the public school system here in Hawai'i, that using the facility for alternative education would be a wise choice.

I am an advocate for Montessori education and have been working in Montessori education for over 15 years with children from birth to 12 years old. Montessori education, when implemented correctly and following the high standards of the Association Montessori Internationale, provides education that truly meets the academic, social and emotional needs of individual learners (something that is a challenge in most education models).

Using the Wailupe facility for such a program could be a great benefit for the school district (drawing attendance from those who might alternatively choose a private school and bringing more money into the DOE budget) and of course, for the children and families who would participate in the program.

Has the DOE considered launching an alternative educational program in the Wailupe facility?

Knudsen: Thank you for the suggestion. I'm aware of the interest in turning Wailupe Elementary into a Montessori School. Unfortunately, at this time it appears that the department will be returning the facility over to the city. The DOE doesn't have the funding currently to retrofit the school. I agree that it would have been good if we could have kept the facility for educational purposes, but at this time we just don't have the funds.

Steve: Can the DOE really afford to do anything with the Wailupe Valley Elementary School facility other than return it to the city? Can you lay out some viable educational options for the facility that could be managed by the DOE in this fiscal climate?

Knudsen: Unfortunately, the DOE can't afford to maintain Wailupe Elementary at this time. We had hoped to turn it into a science center for upper elementary students and middle school students, but with the budget shortfalls, we're not able to pursue that at this time. Perhaps the DOE could partner with the city as the city ponders how to use the facility. But it's too early at this time to predict what form that might take.

Nanakuli Bill: Will the budget cuts mean shorter school weeks and shorter school days for our children? If so, won't this affect high school credit requirements for graduation?

Knudsen: We are currently trying to analyze how the budget cuts will impact schools and students. We're looking at different scenarios. It's one thing to talk about deep budget cuts, but looking at implementation provides real insight as to how the cuts will affect individuals. The impact could be more far-reaching than originally anticipated. I can't say for certain that length of days or length of school year will be affected — budget cuts are likely to have an impact on student learning time, but details will have to be worked out.

Trish: Do you think having more school districts would be beneficial and more manageable? Why or why not?

Knudsen: I don't think having more school districts would be beneficial or manageable. We currently have 15 complex areas — elementary and middle schools that feed into our high schools. This provides more local-level management while providing a cohesive approach to delivering educational services. The complexes are all part of the central state system that provides general support (payroll, personnel services, etc). If we had separate/distinct districts, there would be a duplication of administrative services.

Denise: If a nonprofit school approached the DOE with the idea of bringing a Montessori School to the Wailupe environment and was willing to pay to lease it, would the DOE then consider the possibility of keeping it as a school?

Knudsen: The full board will be voting on returning the site to the city at an upcoming general business meeting. You might want to provide testimony to the board in advance of the meeting. As you know, the primary reason the board is returning the site to the city is because we don't have the funding to keep it and upgrade the site, but you could still approach the board with your idea. Meanwhile, you might want to approach the city with your proposal.

Colin K.: Please explain how our school test scores, etc. can rank low while we spend more than $2 billion each budget year?

Change comes too slow for these kids who pass through the system with such a poor education; it affects the entire community, would you agree?

Knudsen: While I agree that we have much to improve upon, I'm also encouraged that our students are showing improvement and gains academically. We continue to show upward trends on standardized test scores — although we definitely want to see more improvement.

Tina: What do you feel are the three biggest obstacles to student success? What can be done to help our kids succeed in school?

Knudsen: Although there can be many obstacles to student success, I'd say that it's a combination — a child needs to come to school "ready to learn," that is, they need to be fed, clothed and free of stresses of home turmoil; the school itself has to provide an environment conducive to learning (enough supplies, etc.); and qualified teachers. Learning can be affected by a deficiency in any of these areas. Public support of education, encouraging our students, appreciating teachers — and letting policymakers know that education is important all will contribute to educational success.

John: What would you consider some markers of success in regard to student achievement that you are proud of as a BOE member?

Knudsen: Every time I attend a graduation ceremony and see students heading off to Ivy League universities, local institutions of higher education, or into the workforce, I feel a sense of pride for the promise they hold. Hawai'i students receive millions of dollars in scholarship money each year. I think that's one measure of success. When the board passes a policy that supports student achievement — and then we see the results emerge later, that's also a sign of success. Many years ago, the board passed the 2.0 policy that has had a tremendous impact on the academic achievement of our athletes and other students who participate in co-curricular activities. How we impact student learning is always top of the board's policy deliberations.

Bill: Any further program cuts on the horizon?

Knudsen: Unfortunately, we will probably be seeing further cuts in the future if the current fiscal climate doesn't change.