HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Superintendent of Hawaii’s public schools, Keith Hayashi, may see a pay raise, increased benefits, and an extended contract following recommendations discussed at a Board of Education committee meeting on Tuesday.
The committee suggested a 4% salary increase for Hayashi, which would raise his annual salary to $249,600, effective July 1, 2024.
Additionally, the committee proposed increasing his automobile allowance to $326 per month and extending his contract by six months, pushing the expiration date to December 31, 2025.
These recommendations are contingent upon approval by the full Board of Education.
Hayashi, who has served as the state’s top education official since July 2022, was given a “highly effective” rating during his performance evaluation in October 2024.
The salary adjustment aligns with similar increases granted to subordinate superintendents under the Board’s new pay structure, which takes effect in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The proposed contract extension would provide more time for a comprehensive review of student achievement data and allow for a fair evaluation of Hayashi’s performance for the 2024-2025 school year.
The evaluation process typically includes end-of-year results, which are not available until after the school year concludes.
The full Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposed changes in the coming weeks.