David Y. Ige

Link to b-roll here

Link to soundbites here

Soundbite log below

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige met with Board of Education chair Catherine Payne to discuss the vote that was taken in executive session on a one-year contract extension for Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto.

“In the past, the practice of the board has always been to take action on personnel matters in executive session and then to report out. So, we were doing what we thought was the correct procedures,” said Payne.

The statute that prohibited contract votes to be conducted in executive session was rescinded when the BOE became an appointed board. However, the BOE was unaware an administrative rule adopted under the statute still existed.

“We have been consulting with the attorney general and I think there will be some more discussion on that. But whatever the outcome, we have decided that this is something that we are not hesitating to do in public,” Payne said.

“I’ve always stressed that open, transparent government is really important to ensure the general public has faith in the system,” said Gov. Ige. “They are committed. I’ve spoken with the board chair, and she’s open to transparent activities. They were aware that this was past practice, and on a going forward basis, they will be changing it to ensure that the vote can occur in public.”

The BOE will have a public discussion and vote on Kishimoto’s contract extension on Jan. 17, 2019.

SOUNDBITES:

Governor David Ige

They are committed. I’ve spoken with the board chair and she’s open to transparent activities. They were aware that this was the past practice, and on a going forward basis they will be changing it to ensure that the vote can occur in public. (:17)

Catherine Payne/BOE Chair

In the past, the practice of the board has always been to take action on personnel matters in executive session and then to report out. So, we were doing what we thought was the correct procedures. (:11)

So now we have an appointed board and they rescinded the law, but the administrative rule is still in existence and it hasn’t been removed. (:09)

We have been consulting with the attorney general I think there will be some more discussion on that. But whatever the outcome, we have decided that this is something that we are not hesitating to do in public. (:13)

###

Media Contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0043

Mobile: 808-798-3929

[email protected]

 

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]