Three former governors of Hawaii believe the state's educational system needs an overhaul.
George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano have a plan called "Hawaii's Children First" that would change the way members of the state Board of Education are selected. Simply put, the ex-governors' plan would have the governor appoint the members instead of electing them.
Earlier this year, Gov. Linda Lingle proposed abolishing the state board and making the superintendent of schools a Cabinet-level position reporting to the governor.
It is obvious all four of these people who have tried to govern this state are frustrated with the way our schools work. The superintendent of schools answers to three different entities - the Legislature, the governor and the Board of Education - and the result is absolute confusion.
The problem with both proposals - Lingle's and the former governors' - is that it takes control of the schools even further away from local hands. Under the ex-governors' plans, local residents couldn't even select a representative on the board. Under Lingle's, there won't even be a board.
A couple of legislative sessions ago, a bill was working its way through that would have allowed state citizens to vote yes or no on local school boards. It got lost in the Legislature.
If that can't be revived, can we at least appoint a commission to study how states with the best educational results do it?
It is time to change the way our public schools are run and funded. Furlough Fridays are the tip of the iceberg. Poor test scores, underpaid teachers and dilapidated facilities are ongoing problems that have to be addressed.
Instead of insisting on doing it our way, why don't we check out the states that are getting results. At some point, someone in a leadership position is going to propose this obvious step.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
