SSCR3645

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3645

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 836, 837

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 836 and 837, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board Of Education

G.M. No. 836

BRUCE VOSS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

G.M. No. 837

PATRICIA BERGIN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Bruce Voss and Patricia Bergin to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Education.

BRUCE VOSS

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Bruce Voss from ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, The MacNaughton Group, ABC Stores, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, and nineteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the appointment of Bruce Voss from the Hawaii Education Policy Center, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Voss's experience as a journalist and attorney, commitment to the needs of Hawaii's students, and his familiarity with the teaching profession, qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Education. Your Committee notes that Mr. Voss has many connections to education, including his father, father-in-law, and wife, who are all either practicing teachers or retired teachers. Mr. Voss has supported education in his career both in journalism and law, and was part of the team that created Hiki Nō Student News Network, a PBS Hawai‘i learning initiative. Your Committee finds that Mr. Voss's professional leadership skills and dedication to advancing the interests of Hawaii's students will be great assets to the Board of Education.

PATRICIA BERGIN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Patricia Bergin from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Waimea Middle School, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the appointment of Patricia Bergin from the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Bergin's extensive experience as an educator and administrator, dedication to Hawaii's students, and leadership abilities qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Education. Your Committee notes that Ms. Bergin has worked as a school and education administrator in Hawaii, including as a district superintendent, for more than forty years. Ms. Bergin's career has covered every level of the State's public education system, and she has been responsible for numerous programs and initiatives to further the academic interests and educational well-being of Hawaii's students. Additionally, Ms. Bergin has served on the North Hawai‘i Community Hospital Board of Directors, Parker Ranch Foundation Trust Distribution Committee, and Mauna Kea Management Board. Your Committee finds that Ms. Bergin's experience as a leader in education administration and her commitment to the needs of Hawaii's students will be great assets to the Board of Education.

Your Committee notes that at the hearing on these nominations, the issue of having teachers serve on the Board of Education was raised. Your Committee finds that the nature of the teaching profession, legal framework of education, and demands on teachers and students are subject to change over time. Your Committee also finds that the perspective of individuals with current or recent experience in the classroom may be valuable to the Board of Education. Your Committee notes that the Board of Education does not currently contain any members who are current teachers, or who have been teachers within the last fifteen years.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair