Hawaii Board of Education Takes on Teacher Tenure, Evaluations and Performance Pay

By /
The Hawaii State Board of Education will decide on Tuesday whether to raise the bar for giving teachers tenure and pay raises.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Legislature are attempting to do the same thing through Senate Bill 2789 and House Bill 2527, both of which await only their financial committee hearings before reaching their respective floors for a vote.

But these issues are the board’s responsibility, Chairman Don Horner told me last week, and not the Legislature’s.

The board will vote on whether to change the probation period from four to six semesters, and require teachers to be dismissed if they get rated “unsatisfactory” on their evaluations in any two semesters during their probation period.

It also will vote on whether to tie all pay increases for teachers and educational officers to annual performance evaluations. 

If these policies pass, the Department of Education will be required to present a “comprehensive and detailed implementation plan” for the new evaluation system by April 30.

If we don't do it, who will?

Every election has the potential to shape the future of Hawaiʻi.

Civil Beat provides the independent, in-depth reporting voters need to make informed decisions — not just campaign headlines, but rigorous reporting on candidates, policies and the issues that matter most.

Your support ensures this essential public service remains free and accessible to every voter, helping strengthen our democracy and hold those seeking power accountable.

Donate

About the Author