Hawai'i's military and civilian communities have long complained about the poor quality of schooling in the state public schools. The concern, of course, is for the future of their children.

But the military was also concerned about the impact of schools on the quality of life for members and its influence on their career decisions.

The services were experiencing problems in filling job vacancies in Hawai'i because an increasing number of military people with families were not willing to accept assignments to Hawai'i. Reason: the poor quality of the public schools.

This was especially of concern because the military has demands for quality leaders to fill critical positions with the U.S. Pacific Command, which is the military's largest combatant command, and the Pacific region component commands for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Some military people were opting to leave the military rather than accept a Hawai'i assignment, for the lure of excellent civilian job opportunities.

Today's draft-free, all-volunteer force has placed the military on equal footing with the civilian sector for recruiting and retention.

In 1999, the military decided to join forces with the state Department of Education to actively promote changes needed to improve Hawai'i's public schools.

It began with the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command and the state schools superintendent agreeing to form the Joint Venture Education Forum, the JVEF, a partnership between Hawai'i's military community and the Department of Education. The forum has grown to become a diversified group of some 75 working members, including school principals and teachers; representatives from the DOE staff, school districts, the Board of Education and the state Parent, Teacher and Student Association; military commanders, staff members and parents; representatives from business and the Hawai'i 3R's federal school-repair program; legislators; and other interested parties.

Meeting monthly, the forum acts on programs to repair school facilities, provide playgrounds, establish student transition centers, install computer rooms, provide textbooks and many other initiatives.

It also serves as the administrator for the Adopt-a-School program, matching military units to partner with schools.

Adm. William Fallon, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, continues support from the military, stating that "USPACOM and Hawai'i's Department of Education have nurtured a strong, mutually beneficial relationship through the JVEF. We will continue to grow and strengthen this commitment to education as it remains a top quality-of-life concern of our members stationed in Hawai'i."

Concern over the quality of Hawai'i's schools is further shared by defense leaders in Washington, D.C., and members of Congress.

David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, has stated: "Invested communities make a difference. I am certain you will find our military families and the Department of Defense deeply committed to the mission of providing the best possible education for our children."

U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye is a staunch proponent of the JVEF. Said Inouye: "I remember the early days, when there were frustrations on both sides — the military families did not know how to address differences in graduation requirements, or could not get counseling support for children of deploying parents.

"On the other side, there was a sense by some that insufficient federal resources were being brought to the public school system for the number of military children being educated. A community divided could not begin to address its concerns."

Forming the JVEF breached the differences, and Inouye stepped in with some federal money "to bring in some additional funds to the table and to encourage a venue where issues could be brought and resolved together."

Schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto recognizes the JVEF as a dynamic and multifaceted group that has successfully adapted to meeting the needs of military children whose parents have deployed to combat zones halfway around the world.

Combat deployments and the inevitable tragedies that come with them have inflicted tremendous stresses upon our military families and classroom teachers. Now, with our own National Guard and Reserve soldiers being deployed, students in nearly every school in the state can be sitting in classrooms with fears about the safety of Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister, Auntie, Uncle or Cousin.

The superintendent has said: "The men and women in uniform who volunteer their free time on our school campuses are an invaluable resource. And the schools need to make sure that their children are well educated and especially well cared for in times when one or more parents may be deployed to areas of hostility."

The JVEF has responded by providing deployment information and training to school personnel statewide since October 2004. Military school liaison officers have worked with affected schools to assist as tragedies have occurred.

Entering its seventh year, the JVEF is a proven example of how government and community interaction can enable schools to achieve quality performance. With JVEF assistance and guidance, schools have developed transition programs to welcome incoming students; staff development courses to educate teachers and counselors on the unique stresses and culture of the military; and citizenship programs that enhance student behavior, respect, and understanding of each other.

The military community has further responded by volunteering thousands of work hours through 150 partnerships with schools throughout the state. Military people and their spouses can be seen tutoring in classrooms, painting buildings, coordinating fitness programs, beautifying school grounds, and serving as PTSA and school community council officers and volunteers in school activities.

All one needs to do is visit with the principals and teachers of school complexes on or adjacent to military bases to learn about the many improvements that have contributed toward improving school performance.

You'll be impressed.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i is a charter member of the JVEF. We have participated actively in the program and monitored its progress because we believe the civilian community shares an equal role in the public schools.

Like the military, the civilian community depends on the schools to educate and prepare our children to lead Hawai'i into the future — a future that will place heavy demands on them in advancing Hawai'i into tomorrow's global society.

So, too, must the schools attract the world's finest minds to Hawai'i and help elevate its status among the finest places to work and live.

We need to create movement within the civilian community similar to the steps taken by the military in partnering with the public schools. The Legislature has started the movement by enacting Act 51 in transforming the public school system.

Greater administrative and financial responsibilities are being passed down to school principals. Teachers will be held accountable for student progress. Local school community councils are being established to provide community oversight and participation in school programs.

Will greater involvement by the business sector help? I believe so.

One way to start would be to have businesses (and other private groups) partner with military units in the Adopt-a-School program. Military units already have adopted 150 schools throughout the state. The chamber will encourage businesses to partner with military units that have adopted schools.

Both entities could then combine their resources and coordinate activities to help school principals and teachers improve the quality of schooling. This would bring the military and civilian communities together to create more effective learning opportunities for all children.

"The honor I received is directly attributed to the cooperation and work of many people on the Campbell High School staff and in the community here. That includes our three military partners who have brought both fiscal and human resources and expertise that have been invaluable to the school, the staff, and students," said Campbell High School principal Gail Awakuni after she was recognized as this year's National Principal of the Year.

It would be my personal highlight to see the business community contribute toward the growth of Hawai'i's public school system.

Jim Tollefson is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.