Friday, Aug 3 • UPDATE from Randal Tanaka, KCSA Principal
Faculty and Staff:
We had an uplifting day yesterday. Thank you very much to the faculty and staff members who attended the Commission meeting yesterday!!! The new Charter School Commission determined that we are eligible and our Charter Application will be moving forward. Kay Kurima and Lily Horio did a super job in presenting testimony to the entire Commission. Calvin Say wrote another strong letter supporting our efforts (see attached)! Looks like the Lady went back to the dressing room for now!!!! The Commission will be making a decision around December 13 regarding approval/disapproval. I am currently drafting a letter to the Superintendent regarding her promise to meet with us about next steps after the Commission/Review Panel ruled regarding our eligibility. Our major concerns are: conversion charter school road blocks, loss of accreditation status, and major loss of momentum. Our ILSB has pledged to work hard to explore new options, new ideas, and modifications to our plan to keep it moving forward.
I have been assigned as an Ed. Specialist at the Honolulu District Office .... I have no desire for other employment except at Kaimuki Community Adult Charter School. It’s a unique concept that is innovative, exciting, and provides a load of job satisfaction! Thanks very much!
RT
We had an uplifting day yesterday. Thank you very much to the faculty and staff members who attended the Commission meeting yesterday!!! The new Charter School Commission determined that we are eligible and our Charter Application will be moving forward. Kay Kurima and Lily Horio did a super job in presenting testimony to the entire Commission. Calvin Say wrote another strong letter supporting our efforts (see attached)! Looks like the Lady went back to the dressing room for now!!!! The Commission will be making a decision around December 13 regarding approval/disapproval. I am currently drafting a letter to the Superintendent regarding her promise to meet with us about next steps after the Commission/Review Panel ruled regarding our eligibility. Our major concerns are: conversion charter school road blocks, loss of accreditation status, and major loss of momentum. Our ILSB has pledged to work hard to explore new options, new ideas, and modifications to our plan to keep it moving forward.
I have been assigned as an Ed. Specialist at the Honolulu District Office .... I have no desire for other employment except at Kaimuki Community Adult Charter School. It’s a unique concept that is innovative, exciting, and provides a load of job satisfaction! Thanks very much!
RT
Your continued support is needed to move KCSA's Charter Application forward!
It has been determined that KCSA's application is eligible to become Hawai`i's first Adult Charter School. Please continue to send your testimonies in support. Mahalo nui loa to everyone for your continued kokua!
EMAIL - Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say: [email protected]
-- H District 20 -- St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimuki
WEBSITE: www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=say
MAIL:
Representative Calvin K.Y. Say -- Speaker of the House
Hawai`i State Capitol, Room 431
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone 808-586-6100
Fax 808-586-6101
EMAIL - Governor Neil Abercrombie: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.hawaii.gov/gov
MAIL:
The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
Governor of the State of Hawai`i
Executive Chambers
Hawai`i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
EMAIL - Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say: [email protected]
-- H District 20 -- St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimuki
WEBSITE: www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=say
MAIL:
Representative Calvin K.Y. Say -- Speaker of the House
Hawai`i State Capitol, Room 431
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone 808-586-6100
Fax 808-586-6101
EMAIL - Governor Neil Abercrombie: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.hawaii.gov/gov
MAIL:
The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
Governor of the State of Hawai`i
Executive Chambers
Hawai`i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Summer 2007 - Summer 2012 Enrollment Chart • Shows the Community's desire for KCSA's unique offering of "Special Interest" classes; and what happened in the last 3-years when "interim" administration failed to publicize those classes.
July 9 & July 14 • McKinley Community School for Adults (MCSA) Transition Meetings for KCSA Staff [a personal recap]
- MCSA administrators failed to mail its last minute notices to all KCSA instructors for these two meetings regarding the BOE's plans to consolidate.
- MCSA did not have an attendee sign-up sheet for the July 9 meeting; and attendees at each meeting were provided with different Agendas (not including a revised Agenda circulated mid-way through the July 14 meeting).
- MCSA opted to end the July 14 meeting before covering page 2 of the Agenda.
- MCSA showed an unwillingness to deviate from its established enrollment procedures/policies to accommodate working adult students/learners; and indicated a desire to limit the days/times for "special interest" enrollment.
- MCSA fails to perceive the enrollment needs of adult students/learners.
- MCSA displays shortsighted inexperience in the management of KCSA's curriculum of "special interest" classes.
Thursday, July 12 • email from Randal Tanaka, KCSA Principal
Faculty and Staff:
I’m as confused as you! I was not provided prior notice regarding the meeting at McKinley Community School nor invited. I’ve gotten an ear full from many of you about not receiving any meeting notification; concerns about receiving only the first letter; concerns about receiving only the second letter; and issues about receiving both letters. If you have any questions regarding this situation, please call the McKinley Community School for Adults, 594-0540. I’ve encouraged many to attend the meeting on Monday and I will continue to urge other to attend the meeting on Saturday.
Where are we now? We are running the second half of our Summer Session which will conclude at the end of July. I was very pleased with the high enrollment numbers and at the popularity of our new Conversational English Classes.
Is the Lady Singing? Not yet, she’s still in the dressing room. The last communication we received from the Superintendent was on May 23. You recall she indicated that she would be happy to meet with us regarding next steps following a decision from the Charter Review Panel. The Charter Review Panel was recently replaced by a Charter Commission. This action occurred on June 20, 2012. We are currently still waiting for the Superintendent to make a decision regarding our request for a trial period of our Charter School Plans.
Who’s Helping us? Our strongest supporter continues to be Calvin Say. He has indicated that everybody is talking and that’s positive. We have also met with senior members of the Governor’s Staff, and recently some faculty and staff members met with the Governor’s Chief of Staff. They all were supportive of our plans. We will be participating in a Charter School Reception this coming Monday. We will be interacting with the new Commission Members, BOE Members, Legislators, and other VIPs. Our objective is to sell our program!
Are we going to make it? I don’t like to predict things, but we are in a good position. It is way better than the position we were in a year ago. Lastly, I would have never believed we would be running a Summer School after July 1, 2012.
Keep your fingers crossed and thank you very much!
RT
I’m as confused as you! I was not provided prior notice regarding the meeting at McKinley Community School nor invited. I’ve gotten an ear full from many of you about not receiving any meeting notification; concerns about receiving only the first letter; concerns about receiving only the second letter; and issues about receiving both letters. If you have any questions regarding this situation, please call the McKinley Community School for Adults, 594-0540. I’ve encouraged many to attend the meeting on Monday and I will continue to urge other to attend the meeting on Saturday.
Where are we now? We are running the second half of our Summer Session which will conclude at the end of July. I was very pleased with the high enrollment numbers and at the popularity of our new Conversational English Classes.
Is the Lady Singing? Not yet, she’s still in the dressing room. The last communication we received from the Superintendent was on May 23. You recall she indicated that she would be happy to meet with us regarding next steps following a decision from the Charter Review Panel. The Charter Review Panel was recently replaced by a Charter Commission. This action occurred on June 20, 2012. We are currently still waiting for the Superintendent to make a decision regarding our request for a trial period of our Charter School Plans.
Who’s Helping us? Our strongest supporter continues to be Calvin Say. He has indicated that everybody is talking and that’s positive. We have also met with senior members of the Governor’s Staff, and recently some faculty and staff members met with the Governor’s Chief of Staff. They all were supportive of our plans. We will be participating in a Charter School Reception this coming Monday. We will be interacting with the new Commission Members, BOE Members, Legislators, and other VIPs. Our objective is to sell our program!
Are we going to make it? I don’t like to predict things, but we are in a good position. It is way better than the position we were in a year ago. Lastly, I would have never believed we would be running a Summer School after July 1, 2012.
Keep your fingers crossed and thank you very much!
RT
Thursday, June 28, UPDATED • KITV 4 NEWS EXCLUSIVE By Catherine Cruz • Last-ditch effort to save Kaimuki Adult Community School, 11 statewide adult community schools to be collapsed into 2 | Plan to cut costs in Hawaii's
public schools will leave nine principals without a program to run.
public schools will leave nine principals without a program to run.
Thursday, June 28 • ISLAND VOICES editorial by Lily Horio
Thursday, June 21 • email from Randal Tanaka, KCSA Principal
Faculty and Staff:
Mahalo again for your efforts and support! On Tuesday, June 19 the Governor signed the new Charter School Law
which eliminated the Charter Review Panel. The Panel is being replaced by a Charter School Commission. The
meeting scheduled for June 28 regarding our eligibility has been cancelled. This buys us some time as the new
Commission needs to get organized. We will provide updates regarding this continuing issue.
In the area of political support, House Speaker Calvin Say continues to advocate for us and our self-sufficient plan.
We had a very positive meeting with him yesterday. He reaffirmed his support for Kaimuki Community School, and
he will be meeting with members of the Governor Office shortly. I received a phone call from Senator Les Ihara on
Tuesday. Senator Ihara voiced his support for our school and indicated he will provide political support for our plan.
Things are looking up!
The State Superintendent has extended me one more month on the job. So, the Interim Local School Board and
our School Steering Committee has recommended that we extend and implement Summer School II for the month
of July. I totally agree with this recommendation, but the session needs to be simplified because we will be losing
staff along with State and Federal money allotments. We will be offering about 40 classes at limited sites for the
month of July. We did not mean to exclude anyone, but the short planning period, use of facilities issues, course
complexities, instructor complexities, and cost have limited the offerings for Summer Session II. The objectives for
Summer Session II are: Continue to provide an Academic Program; Continue to provide assistance to our potential
high school graduates; and continue to provide life-long learning classes. Attached is the Summer Session II Flyer
which will also run in this Sunday's Star Advertiser.
Lastly, Two teachers worked extremely hard to write an article for the Star Advertiser, Island Voicies. Lily Horio and
Martin Chong did an outstanding job! About 40 teachers have already added their names to the article. If you wish
to add you name, please e-mail Vanessa as soon as you can.
Thank you very much!
RT
Mahalo again for your efforts and support! On Tuesday, June 19 the Governor signed the new Charter School Law
which eliminated the Charter Review Panel. The Panel is being replaced by a Charter School Commission. The
meeting scheduled for June 28 regarding our eligibility has been cancelled. This buys us some time as the new
Commission needs to get organized. We will provide updates regarding this continuing issue.
In the area of political support, House Speaker Calvin Say continues to advocate for us and our self-sufficient plan.
We had a very positive meeting with him yesterday. He reaffirmed his support for Kaimuki Community School, and
he will be meeting with members of the Governor Office shortly. I received a phone call from Senator Les Ihara on
Tuesday. Senator Ihara voiced his support for our school and indicated he will provide political support for our plan.
Things are looking up!
The State Superintendent has extended me one more month on the job. So, the Interim Local School Board and
our School Steering Committee has recommended that we extend and implement Summer School II for the month
of July. I totally agree with this recommendation, but the session needs to be simplified because we will be losing
staff along with State and Federal money allotments. We will be offering about 40 classes at limited sites for the
month of July. We did not mean to exclude anyone, but the short planning period, use of facilities issues, course
complexities, instructor complexities, and cost have limited the offerings for Summer Session II. The objectives for
Summer Session II are: Continue to provide an Academic Program; Continue to provide assistance to our potential
high school graduates; and continue to provide life-long learning classes. Attached is the Summer Session II Flyer
which will also run in this Sunday's Star Advertiser.
Lastly, Two teachers worked extremely hard to write an article for the Star Advertiser, Island Voicies. Lily Horio and
Martin Chong did an outstanding job! About 40 teachers have already added their names to the article. If you wish
to add you name, please e-mail Vanessa as soon as you can.
Thank you very much!
RT
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Friday, May 25 • email from Randal Tanaka, KCSA Principal
Faculty and Staff:
Thank you very much for your continued efforts in support of Kaimuki Community School for Adults. Your letters, e-mail, testimony, and telephone calls ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! We brought a very active group to the meeting yesterday. Mark Jones, Lily Horio, Vanessa, and Laura Ruby provided excellent testimony to the Panel Members refuting Jim William’s recommendations. Hopefully we will get the video out to you shortly.
Many of the Panel Members were not in attendance (quite dysfunctional) and had insufficient numbers to vote on William’s recommendation. We were able to provide additional information regarding our plans and Charter through questions and answers. This lasted about 30 minutes.
We are still alive and moving forward! The next Panel Meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2012. We again request your support and political action! Please e-mail the [Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say: [email protected]] with letters of support for our eligibility. This is very important!
Thank you very much!
R. Tanaka
PS: The latest DRAFT information I received is that Kaimuki Community School’s staff will be reduced to a Site Coordinator and Clerk.
Thank you very much for your continued efforts in support of Kaimuki Community School for Adults. Your letters, e-mail, testimony, and telephone calls ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! We brought a very active group to the meeting yesterday. Mark Jones, Lily Horio, Vanessa, and Laura Ruby provided excellent testimony to the Panel Members refuting Jim William’s recommendations. Hopefully we will get the video out to you shortly.
Many of the Panel Members were not in attendance (quite dysfunctional) and had insufficient numbers to vote on William’s recommendation. We were able to provide additional information regarding our plans and Charter through questions and answers. This lasted about 30 minutes.
We are still alive and moving forward! The next Panel Meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2012. We again request your support and political action! Please e-mail the [Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say: [email protected]] with letters of support for our eligibility. This is very important!
Thank you very much!
R. Tanaka
PS: The latest DRAFT information I received is that Kaimuki Community School’s staff will be reduced to a Site Coordinator and Clerk.
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May 15 • House Speaker's letter supporting KCSA's application.
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May 22 • Matayoshi's reply with intent for community schools.
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April 26 • KCSA's letter to Superintendent Matayoshi re 4/16/12 application to Hawaii Public Charter School Review Panel.
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Tuesday, May 22 • email from Randal Tanaka, KCSA Principal
Faculty and Staff:
Mahalo for your continued support. Yesterday about 35 Faculty, Staff, and Students attended the Charter School Review Panel Application Committee Meeting. We submitted 28 written testimonies and made 4 oral presentations regarding our eligibility to apply for Charter School Status. The Committee of two made the following recommendations:
Kaimuki Community School is not eligible to submit a Charter School Application based on the following:
No standards based instruction
We are charging fees and tuition
We will not be using state money under the weighted student formula
This is merely a recommendation that will be made to the full Review Panel on Thursday, May 24, 2012. The panel will then make a decision regarding our eligibility.
We are planning to attend this meeting and again request your continued support and attendance. We will be giving oral testimony at this meeting beginning at 11:30am. The presenters need your support and acknowledgement! This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Queen Liliuokalani Building at 11:30am.
Thank you very much! RT
Mahalo for your continued support. Yesterday about 35 Faculty, Staff, and Students attended the Charter School Review Panel Application Committee Meeting. We submitted 28 written testimonies and made 4 oral presentations regarding our eligibility to apply for Charter School Status. The Committee of two made the following recommendations:
Kaimuki Community School is not eligible to submit a Charter School Application based on the following:
No standards based instruction
We are charging fees and tuition
We will not be using state money under the weighted student formula
This is merely a recommendation that will be made to the full Review Panel on Thursday, May 24, 2012. The panel will then make a decision regarding our eligibility.
We are planning to attend this meeting and again request your continued support and attendance. We will be giving oral testimony at this meeting beginning at 11:30am. The presenters need your support and acknowledgement! This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Queen Liliuokalani Building at 11:30am.
Thank you very much! RT
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Monday, May 21 • Recommendation by Jim Williams, Review Panel Subcommittee, to deny KCSA's Charter School Application"Mr. Williams states three reasons for recommending our charter school application ineligible. Tomorrow we will face the entire 12 member charter school review panel. Principal Tanaka and others will give testimony to rebut the recommendation of ineligibility. Please come out to show your support." |
