HONOLULU -- Word of the governor's announcement spread quickly on public school campuses across the state.

"Looking at the make-up of the board itself, we see a good cross mix of different types of people coming from different backgrounds," said McKinley High School principal Ron Okamura.

But some educators are more concerned about their backgrounds.

Still others simply want the new board to listen to those who work in public schools.

"They don't ask us who's at the school level. We just get mandates or new requirements from the top. I want to see them listen to us. I want to see them make decisions based on the reality that's taking place in schools and not what's ideal and what looks good politically," said April Nakamura, teacher and student activities coordinator at McKinley High.

The Hawaii State Teacher's Association initially opposed an appointed board before a solid majority of voters supported a governor appointed board in the last election.

But union leader Will Okabe said he is optimistic about the diversity of the newly appointed board.

"The people have spoken and we're looking forward to that opportunity to working with the new school board."

But Okabe expressed concern that the BOE transition is coming in the middle of teacher contract negotiations.

"We'll have to see what level of expertise they'll have in these present negotiations that we're in. So that will definitely be a challenge for the new board," Okabe said.

The governor is proposing a 5 percent pay cut for all government workers.