Superintendent will not seek contract renewal after overwhelming criticism
Her last working day will be July 30, 2021
Posted: March 9, 2021
After nearly four years at the helm of the Hawaii State Department of Education, embattled Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto will not seek to renew her contract. Her term ends July 30.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee said, “We wish Christina Kishimoto success in her future endeavors while we look forward to working towards securing the schools our keiki deserve.”
The superintendent informed the Hawaii Board of Education and HIDOE employees of her decision Tuesday, less than a week after the unions representing public school principals and teachers told the BOE the department needed new leadership.
Her message follows:
After much consideration and reflection, I will not be seeking a renewal of my contract. I am committed to serving out the remainder of my term; my last day with the Hawaii State Department of Education (“HIDOE”) will be July 30, 2021.
It has been my great privilege to serve the students of Hawaii the past four years. This is a generation of students who will lead as global change-makers, with great aloha.
During my time leading Hawaii’s public school system, I have enjoyed celebrating successes and milestones around amplifying student voice, elevating teacher leadership and vision, and setting bold strategic goals around student promises focused on innovative ideas and solutions toward a thriving and sustainable state. Together, we have accomplished a lot, but the path forward points to much work that still needs to be done.
There is so much for Hawaii to be proud of and I am humbled to have been a part of this work. I know that the positive momentum underway will continue under the HIDOE’s talented team focused on nothing less than excellence, and fiercely committed to equity of access for all students.
Kishimoto began her original three-year stint as superintendent on Aug. 1, 2017. The BOE later granted her a one-year extension that expires July 31, 2021. Her contract pays her $240,000 a year as well as an auto allowance of $326 a month.