Incoming
school chief bargains
over new contract

He was to fax a
counterproposal to the
Board of Education today

By Gregg K. Kakesako and Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Schools Superintendent-designate Paul LeMahieu was to fax a counterproposal to the Board of Education today that he said would "strengthen the contract" for both parties.

The school board had offered LeMahieu up to $20,000 for moving expenses as part of his contract.

LeMahieu declined to discuss the details of his counteroffer except to say that he "saw nothing in the board's initial proposal that was a deal breaker."

"This is just a first step in the dialogue," said LeMahieu, a nationally known education researcher and consultant from Newark, Del., who is expected to arrive here in September to take over Hawaii's public school system.

"It was a splendid first statement.

"This is a problem we can solve together."

School Board Chairwoman Karen Knudsen also said that LeMahieu's actions were just part of the negotiation process.

"It is just one of the steps in the negotiations."

The board has been working out details since they agreed earlier this month to offer him a four-year contract -- the maximum term allowed.

In discussions with the board, LeMahieu had proposed relocation expenses and a pension or retirement plan.

Besides the superintendent's salary, which is set by statute at $90,041, "we really are not able to offer anything outside of that or anything beyond the moving expenses," said Knudsen.

The board settled on $20,000 as a "realistic" amount for relocation costs, but LeMahieu can make a counteroffer, she said.

Board members voted 8-3 in favor of the formal offer and yesterday sent LeMahieu a copy of the contract.

In addition to the contract, the board has made a verbal commitment to lobby the upcoming Legislature to remove the superintendent's salary cap, said Vice Chairwoman Kelly King.

"I believe we have a good chance of being successful."

The board will seek assistance for the $20,000 from the private sector or tap into funds allocated for teacher relocation, King said.