Board Chair Breene Harimoto Defends Hawaii's Nearly Worst Public Education System in the Nation; Accuses Thielen of Lying About Problems; Thielen Fights Back
State Board of Education Member Laura Thielen has tolerated a great deal of criticism and harassment since she agreed to serve on Gov. Linda Lingle’s Citizens Achieving Reform in Education (CARE) committee, and became one of the most vocal advocates for school reform. She’s been ostracized by most of the 12 other school board members, insulted by lawmakers opposing the governor’s plan for education reform, and personally attacked.
That’s because Thielen’s message -- the same message the governor and members of the public have been repeating -- isn’t easy for those in charge of Hawaii’s public education system to hear. Hawaii’s public schools rank nearly the worst in the nation in terms of test scores in math and reading and in drop out rates, realities the public union leaders, Board of Education members and Department of Education Superintendent don’t want to admit.
The attacks on Thielen came to a head last Thursday, when Board of Education members could not refute what Thielen has been saying publicly about problems in the education system, and so School Board Chairman Breene Harimoto attacked her personally, calling her a liar and unethical. Then several other BOE members took turns berating Thielen saying she made "half-lies" in her public statements supporting the CARE recommendations. Those recommendations include putting at least 90 percent of education funding under the control of principals and allowing voters to decide the issue of local school boards in the November election.
In response, Thielen offered to publicly debate Harimoto or any other board members on the issues.
"The real problem here is that I have taken a different position from the majority of the Board of Education, and that I am advocating for a public choice that may result in all the board members, myself included, losing their public office positions," Thielen says.
Thielen says if Harimoto refuses to publicly debate with her "and provide factual support for your allegations, then I expect you to formally withdraw your accusations against my character and apologize for your statements last night."
Breene usually does not attend legislative hearings and has a stand-in deliver his public testimony so as not to face questioning by members of the Education and Ways and Means committees who support Thielen and the governor's proposals.
See Thielen’s full letter below.
March 19, 2004
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Chairman Breene Harimoto
Members of the Hawaii State Board of Education
1390 Miller Street, Room 405
Honolulu, HI 96813
Mr. Chairman:
Last night you publicly accused me of twisting facts, spreading misinformation and reaching totally irresponsible conclusions. You led the majority of the Board in a scripted, prepared event that slandered my character and my integrity.
You and these other Board members have levied extremely serious accusations; that I have deliberately lied in my statements supporting education reform, that I have violated the Board of Education Code of Conduct and various ethical standards. Yet you and the other Board members were not able to provide a single example to support your baseless charges last night.
The real problem here is that I have taken a different position from the majority of the Board of Education, and that I am advocating for a public choice that may result in all the Board members, myself included, losing their public office positions. This Board is so unaccustomed and opposed to public discussion and debate that it is resorting to personal attacks as a means to stifle reform. I refuse to submit to this culture of fear and retaliation.
I expect you to back up your public accusations with facts. Therefore I am challenging you to a public debate. You will have the opportunity to illustrate, if you can, that your charges against me have merit. We will have an impartial moderator we both agree to, to keep this to a factual debate about education.
The venue will be either on `Olelo, a network station, radio, or some combination. We can invite the League of Women Voters or a network reporter to moderate the discussion.
If you are unwilling to engage in this public debate and provide factual support for your allegations, then I expect you to formally withdraw your accusations against my character and apologize for your statements last night.
This letter is being released publicly as my response to your charges. I look forward to receiving your reply by Tuesday next week.
Sincerely,
Laura H. Thielen
Hawaii State Board of Education
Windward District