BOE ombudsman fired, claims without notice
Elsbeth "Beth" McKeen said she was told by her boss Galen Onouye, BOE executive director, that her position was being eliminated in favor of a new communications and public relations position and that the decision was made by the BOE leadership -- Karen Knudsen, Donna Ikeda and Herbert Watanabe. She was given a month's paid leave.
"It was very clear from my boss that it wasn't because I'm doing something wrong," she said.
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As the board's ombudsman, McKeen listened to complaints from parents, students, schools and community members, and helped to resolve those problems. Since her start in July 2004, she has averaged more than 300 calls, letters or e-mails per year.
Not all BOE members were aware, or happy, about the decision. Mary Cochran, Maui County representative, said Wednesday was the first she had heard about it.
"Don't ask me how in the world (a communications and public relations position) replaces an ombudsman," she said. "What the hell PR do we need when the best PR is when our schools are doing well and the BOE and (Department of Education) are doing their jobs. ... I don't agree with it at all."
Cochran was incensed that not all of the board members were involved in the decision, but she is not sure what the reaction of the other members will be. It may be something raised at the general board meeting Thursday night at Kahuku High and Intermediate School on Oahu.
BOE board member Breene Harimoto said generally personnel matters are not under the direct purview of the board but added he did not have any "firsthand knowledge about this case."
"I hesitate to comment, because it is a personnel matter, until I know what's happening," he said.
Phone messages left with BOE members Herbert Watanabe, Donna Ikeda, Maggie Cox and Denise Matsumoto were not returned as of press time Thursday.
BOE Chairwoman Knudsen has been out of the country for about three weeks, and Cochran said she is not sure how involved Knudsen would have been in the decision-making process.
"It's a major loss, not to the BOE, but to the state of Hawaii," Cochran said. "This is a neutral position, fielding the concerns, addressing those concerns and letting the chips fall where they may. It gave the board members a good feel and good pulse of what's going on in the schools and community. ... McKeen was a wonderful individual who did her job -- and did her job well."
McKeen was disappointed in how the termination came about and wished she had been given notice so she could turn over some of the problems she was currently handling to someone else.
"Access to my files was cut off (Wednesday), so I can't follow through on their requests," she said. "That's what is most problematic."
McKeen primarily deals with parents but sometimes receives calls from students or community members. The problems include particular situations against a principal or students cutting school and running through a resident's yard.
Still reeling from the shock of being terminated, McKeen said she is not sure what comes next.
"I really love the Big Island. I'd sure like to come back somehow, but I can't see clearly just yet," the former Big Island resident said. "This just hit me."
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kamaina wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:57 PM: