Question arises about vote on schools superintendent

The state Board of Education last month voted behind closed doors to extend Superintendent Christina Kishimoto’s contract by one year, but a question has arisen about whether the action was proper.

In a statement issued Monday, the board said it is working with the state Attorney General’s Office “to review our procedures and address a technical issue raised after the meeting to ensure that the necessary administrative rules and protocols were followed.”

It’s unclear what the technical issue is or whether another vote will be needed. But the Dec. 21 contract vote in executive session was consistent with past practices, the statement said.

Closed-door executive meetings are generally limited to personnel and legal issues plus a few other sensitive topics.

The one-year extension was granted after board members evaluated Kishimoto — also behind closed doors — and gave her a rating of “effective” for her performance over the first half of the school year.

“The Board is pleased with Superintendent Kishimoto’s overall performance and the progress she has made to date in achievement of her priorities,” a BOE memo written about the midyear assessment said.

Kishimoto, whose original contract ends July 31, 2020, is responsible for the operation of a statewide education system with 292 schools serving some 180,000 students.

According to the memo, posted on the state Department of Education’s website, the board determined that Kishimoto’s performance of professional standards and priorities has been “effective” overall. The board rated her “effective” in all areas, except ethical leadership, where it rated her as “highly effective.”

“The Board’s expectations are high, and this formative evaluation process confirms that the Superintendent is on track to meet these high expectations and guide our public education system to greater equity and excellence,” the memo said.

The memo added that the board would consider an extension of the employment contract. It did not say, however, that the extension had been granted.

Details of the new contract were not immediately available Monday night, according to the department’s communication office.

According to Kishimoto’s original employment contract, she is eligible for incentive bonuses on top of her annual $240,000 base salary. But any performance-based incentive payments cannot exceed a $250,000 salary cap.

The contract calls for annual reviews of performance to determine any incentive payments, which are tied in part to progress made toward goals and objectives in the board and department’s joint strategic plan.

The strategic plan, which spans the duration of Kishimoto’s original contract, from 2017 to 2020, sets out goals for graduating more students, enrolling more graduates in college, retaining more teachers and improving test scores, among other things.

The former Gilbert, Ariz., and Hartford, Conn., schools superintendent receives an automobile allowance of $326 a month, according to her Hawaii contract, and is eligible for medical coverage, life insurance, retirement, vacation days and sick leave.