Panel OKs Mizumoto, Cox and Minn for seats on state Board of Education

Gov. David Ige’s three nominees to the state Board of Education sailed through a Senate Education Committee hearing Friday.

The governor nominated Lance Mizu­moto, president and chief banking officer of Central Pacific Bank; longtime Kauai educator Margaret Cox; and former teacher Hubert Minn to three-year terms on the school board.

Dozens of supporters wrote testimony in support of the nominees.

With first lady Dawn Amano-Ige, a former public school teacher and vice principal, in the audience, the Senate Education Committee unanimously voted to recommend the nominations for confirmation by the full Senate.

The BOE, by law, is charged with forming statewide educational policy, adopting student performance standards and assessment models, monitoring school success and appointing the superintendent.

Mizumoto, who was named to an at-large seat on the board currently held by Keith Ame­miya, told the committee he views the appointment as a challenge and an opportunity.

"Certainly it’s something that carries a lot of weight," he said, adding that he sees public education as an area in which he "can be of some help and contribute."

Mizumoto’s nomination received nearly three dozen pieces of supporting testimony, including several from banking colleagues and current BOE Chairman Don Hor­ner.

"He is a person of high integrity and has a commitment to serve others," Hor­ner, retired CEO and chairman of First Hawaiian Bank, wrote in support of Mizu­moto. "His strong financial background and passion for education should serve him well in his board capacities. He is a good listener, works well with all stakeholders to reach a win-win solution to any challenge — all excellent traits for the required board duties."

Former DOE teacher Vanessa Ott submitted the lone opposing testimony against Mizu­moto, saying, "Two bankers who never worked in Hawaii’s public schools on a small board of only nine people is one banker too many. We need greater diversity of experience on the BOE."

Cox, a retired high school science teacher and principal, previously was elected to two terms on the Board of Education, beginning in 2004. She was named to the board’s Kauai seat, currently held by Nancy Budd.

"The most important thing to me in education is that we’re child-centered, meaning we make decisions based on what is best for the child," Cox said at the hearing. "Saying that is easy, (but) one size does not fit all. We also know that schools are not a one-size-fits-all."

Cox garnered support from several individuals, including Bill Ara­kaki, the complex-area superintendent overseeing Kauai schools.

"Ms. Cox knows and understands the DOE very well and is the best person to support and assist in the improvement of our department," Ara­kaki wrote.

Minn, the former teacher tapped for the BOE, most recently was deputy director of the city Department of Enterprise Services and previously served on the formerly elected Board of Education in the 1970s. He was named to the BOE’s Oahu seat currently held by Cheryl Lupe­nui.

"I’m happy that the governor offered me a nomination on the board … a second time around," Minn said.

He said he’d like to see the public school system improved by "empowering students and teachers."

Supporters of Minn’s nomination included Hono­lulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, speaking as an individual.

"He is a tireless and compassionate supporter to his friends and a committed and dedicated public servant who always looked to do his job for the right reasons in the right way," Caldwell wrote.

The terms of the three appointments, if confirmed, begin July 1.