BOE Approves Hilo-Waiakea CAS Appointment

On Tuesday, the Hawai’i State Board of Education approved the appointment of Brad Bennett as the Hawai’i State Department of Education’s Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area Superintendent, which will follow Valerie Takata’s June 30 retirement.

Bennett most recently served as principal of Waiakeawaena Elementary School. During his time at the elementary school, he created and implemented the Five Year School Improvement Plan that is based on the Strive HI metrics. He also began the implementation of the Intent Based Leadership Initiative. Prior to his time at Waiakeawaena, Bennett was principal at Haaheo Elementary and vice principal of Ewa Elementary. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Asian-Pacific history and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

During its approval meeting, the BOE also confirmed the appointment of Matt Ho, who will take the position of Lea Albert as the CAS for Castle-Kahuku following her retirement.

“We will miss these leaders who have given so much of themselves to education and serving Hawai’i’s keiki,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Personally, I have learned from each of them and am grateful for their unwavering dedication to public education.”

Both Takata and Albert were recognized with resolutions in their honor.

In addition to the CAS positions, the BOE approved additional leadership changes within the DOE:

The BOE also approved  Matayoshi’s appointment of Suzanne Mulcahy to Assistant Superintendent of Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support. Mulcahy will lead OCISS following its recent restructuring under the leadership of Leila Hayashida.

Earlier in June, the BOE approved the appointment of Tammi Oyadomori-Chun to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance. Oyadomori-Chun’s appointment follows Stephen Schatz, who was recently named the Deputy Superintendent.

Superintendent Matayoshi’s selection of Dawn Kau’i Sang as the Director of Office of Hawaiian Education was also approved. The position now falls under the Office of the Superintendent.