The Board of Education approved another four-year contract and an 18% pay raise for Superintendent Keith Hayashi during its meeting on Wednesday. 

The new contract, which runs from this January to December 2029, increases Hayashi’s second-term pay from $249,600 to $294,674. He will also qualify for subsequent 5% to 8% annual raises based on regular performance evaluations from the board. 

If Hayashi receives the maximum raise each year, he could earn up to $400,900 by the end of the decade. The salary boost is aimed at making the superintendent’s salary more competitive nationally, according to the board’s memo, which showed the current salary falling to the bottom of large districts.   

Principals and local education advocates turned out in strong support for Hayashi’s contract renewal, highlighting in written testimony his dedication to student recovery from the pandemic and his positive relationship with school staff. 

“Superintendent Hayashi’s tenure has been defined by his ability to lead through crisis,” Pukalani Elementary School Principal Gary Kanamori wrote. “He understands that genuine support means being present, accessible, and ready to clear the path for the people doing the work.”

Hayashi started as interim superintendent in 2021 and stepped into the permanent job in 2022.

Teachers’ union President Osa Tui Jr. said he hopes Hayashi’s new salary will help pave the way for raises for all educators.

The board also approved salary raises for the 24 superintendents who work under Hayashi and oversee state-level offices and school complexes. Most superintendents will see an average raise of 10%.

Currently, DOE deputy superintendents earn up to $194,250 each year. The maximum salary is $189,000 for assistant superintendents and $205,000 for complex area superintendents. 

A study published earlier this year found that Hawaiʻi superintendents earn 20% less than the median salary of educational leaders on the mainland and in private school systems in the state. 

Some educators strongly opposed the raises, arguing that DOE employees such as speech language pathologists are more in need of raises amid staff shortages and burnout.

“The proposed raises are a slap in the face,” speech language pathologist Claire Fricke said during Wednesday’s meeting. “Most increases are bigger than my total salary.”

While the BOE only has the power to set the pay of the superintendent and state librarian, board members said they would continue to look at ways to increase the salaries of school employees and address staff vacancies.

“We do listen,” board member Wesley Lo said. “We are trying.”

Civil Beat’s education reporting is supported by a grant from Chamberlin Family Philanthropy.