Central Pacific President Lance Mizumoto named BOE chairman

Central Pacific Bank President Lance Mizumoto has been appointed chairman of the state Board of Education.

Gov. David Ige in April named Mizumoto to the school board for a three-year term that began July 1.

By law, the governor appoints the chairman of the nine-member board, which is charged with forming statewide educational policy, adopting student performance standards and assessment models and monitoring school success. The law requires the governor to appoint a chairman from among the board’s three at-large members.

Ige made the announcement Monday. BOE Chairman Don Horner, who was appointed by former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, announced last week that he would step down July 21 after four years in the position.

“Lance is committed to creating a better future for Hawaii’s students. He believes that focusing on students and empowering principals, teachers and staff is the best path to success in our public education system,” Ige said in a statement. “He is committed to school-based decision making. Lance will be a collaborative leader, one not afraid to tackle the tough issues that get in the way of student achievement.”