The new appointed Board of Education is meeting for the first time today to tackle everything from new bylaws to committee assignments.

Before this morning’s meeting started, the BOE members sat down privately with Gov. Neil Abercrombie. He said after the closed-door meeting that they discussed "education issues," but did not elaborate.

The state’s "Sunshine Law" governing open meetings allows the governor to meet privately with a board "provided that the discussion does not relate to a matter over which a board is exercising its adjudicatory function."

Abercrombie said his "confidence is in the Board of Education." He added that his only advice for them is, "We’re here for the children’s interests, not anyone else’s. We’re not going to let budget barriers or considerations get in the way of making decisions that are in the interest of the child." 

In their day-long meeting, BOE members are getting an education on Hawaii schools, covering everything from the Department of Education’s strategic plan to its organizational structure. 

In the afternoon, the board will take votes on several items, including forming committees, approving new bylaws and setting in motion an audit of BOE policies.