2008-07-10 TCAMPBELL - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

mean, the difference between this and the Charter School is, I think, quite clear. And so that’s the question, you know, is this a licensing issue, is there some kind of license -? IWASHITA: I don’t know that. I don’t know enough. But the concern is raised in the record and I think we need to get the proper Department to at least say we don’t care. If they don’t that’s fine. WATANABE: Well, let’s put it this way then. I mean, it would satisfy you that we got some input from the Department of Ed as to whether they care of not and that’s it? IWASHITA: No, I’m not using the Director’s words. This is what I’m asking, I’m asking that the application and the objections be sent to the Department of Education. In my opinion that should be Mary Correa who is complex area superintendent -- within the area that this development is being proposed, okay, -- and ask for comment, the same way we send an application like this to the Public Works and Department of Health and all the other agencies, right, and ask for comment. And that’s all I’m asking. And if the response is no comment, fine. Right? And if the response is these are concerns, then we can address them. But, you know, I would for the record again say I’m ignorant about whether or not there really is anything out there. I just need to have a proper record. WATANABE: Okay. Give me a second, Mr. Woodward. Mr. Yuen, it seems like you wanted to -. YUEN: As far as the Department, you know, you asked what is the Department’s position. As far as the Department is concerned we would have a standard condition that would apply; and if they need some kind of a license we would require them to get that kind of license. We’re not aware of any license that you would need for operating a facility like this. WATANABE: Thank you. Mr. Woodward. WOODWARD: Just a brief comment. I understand Mr. Iwashita’s concerns. But I have a problem with asking the Department of Education how to run things, given the fine job that they’ve done to this point. IWASHITA: I’m going, can I? WATANABE: Sure, Mr. Iwashita. Rebuttal? IWASHITA: No, it’s not rebuttal. I think it’s making a proper record. Yes, I’m a product of the Hawaii Public School System. Right? And, yes, my personal experience tells me that many, many years ago there were problems; and, yes, I know from my living here over these years that, you know, that there continue to be challenges for the Department in various ways. That’s not to say that we don’t have students graduating from our schools getting full scholarships for the MIT, Stanford and all the best universities in the world. Right? Our Department is deficient in many ways in dealing with children who have not excelled in the same way. But I really object strenuously to a general demeaning of the Department because there are many, many, many teachers, there are many, many super administrators that do a great job for us EXHIBIT B 15