To whom it may concern,
 
My name is Keenan Tenno, and I am writing this petition on behalf of my older sister, Kerri Glickstein. Kerri is the tenured band teacher at Lana’i High and Elementary School. On Thursday, January 27, 2022, she received an eviction notice from the Department of Education for this June. She has been living in the teacher housing on Lana’i for the past 10 or so years, and has her husband and two young children living with her. 

Although the Department of Education has already stated they will not evict my sister Kerri and the other teachers on Lana’i, it is my understanding that the eviction notice has only been suspended, not rescinded, and my sister is still living under the fear of losing her home in June. 
 
I am aware of the 5-year limit for faculty housing within the Department of Education; however, past principals at Lana’i High and Elementary were aware of the unique situation there. The cost of living on Lana’i is much higher elsewhere in the state, and housing is scarce. Past principals understood the situation, and allowed my sister and her family, as well as other long time teachers on the island to live in faculty housing for much longer than the 5-year limit.
 
It is my understanding that the new principal of Lana’i High and Elementary School, Dr. Douglas Boyer, was asked if he wished to continue to maintain a list of all teachers living in faculty housing, and he refused. Therefore, responsibility of the list went back to Department of Education staff on Oahu, who are understandably less aware of the high cost of living and housing scarcity on Lana’i. The DOE staff on Oahu cracked down on those living in faculty housing past the 5-year limit and eviction notices were issued to those in question, my sister included.
 
When my sister arrived on Lana’i in 2008, she had to build up the Lana’i High and Elementary School Band from scratch. She started with a single middle school band, playing secondhand instruments. Over time, Kerri has built up the band program into a well recognized and respected student organization. In addition to Kerri’s contributions to the Lana’i community, her husband Matt Glickstein founded the Lana’i Academy of Performing Arts, or LAPA. LAPA has also grown into a well-known organization, having won national honors within the past couple years.
 
With this level of contribution to the community on Lana’i, it is completely outrageous that my sister, her husband, their 6 year old son, and 4 year old daughter is facing eviction from the very organization that entrusted the band program of Lana’i to her. Unfortunately, my sister is not the only long-time educator on Lana’i still facing eviction. She is one of six outstanding teachers who could still lose their homes this June.
 
These teachers want to be on Lana’i, to continue to teach and watch the children of Lana’i grow and develop into upstanding citizens. Instead, they are being forced out in favor of newer teachers, teachers who may not be able to adjust to life on a rural island like Lana’i. These six teachers facing eviction this June know this community, are an integral part of this community, and are passionate about their jobs.
 
Therefore, I humbly ask you to understand the unique situation on Lana’i, and recognize how enforcing this 5-year rule on faculty housing will have negative effects on the students of Lana’i High and Elementary School. Please consider fully rescinding the eviction notice issued to Kerri Glickstein and her fellow teachers, and allow the administration at the school to regain control of their faculty housing. With the high cost of living and housing scarcity on Lana’i it will be extremely difficult for my sister to remain on the island, a place she has built her life and family on.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
Keenan Tenno