Alexander picks up where he left off

It was not surprising to see Marc Alexander, erstwhile state homeless coordinator, pop up as a new hire at the Institute for Human Services.

His job is called "director of development," which in some nonprofit contexts means a fundraiser. However, according to the announcement, Alexander "will work to strengthen existing ties and form new ones with corporations, public and private entities, and individuals to support IHS in its efforts to end homelessness in Hawaii." There may be some fundraising in that, but it sounds like it might be some continuation of his old duties, though anchored to Hawaii’s longest-established homelessness agency. At the very least, the contacts he made with the state should be helpful.

Hawaii eschews Race to the Exemption

Hawaii seems to have been one of the states that held off on applying for a waiver from the toughest requirements under the No Child Left Behind law that now governs much of what happens in our public schools.

On Thursday President Barack Obama exempted 10 states; New Mexico reports that it’s still working toward its own exemption.

Officials here surely figured that, with the feds currently looking askance at the state’s progress in the Race to the Top reform program, it’s not too likely we’d get a bye just yet. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but common sense can be useful, too.