Commentary from Senator Sakamoto

February 17, 2010

Senate Committee on Education and Housing Passes Measures Working to End Furlough Fridays for Public Schools

The Senate Committee on Education and Housing is working to return children to the classroom on furlough Fridays by passing several bills that would address the issue as well as its funding.

The committee passed two bills (SB 2336, SB 2470) that would set the minimum instructional days for public school students.  Both bills are now in the Senate Ways and Means committee. Senate Bill 2336 requires that all public schools, including charter schools, implement a minimum of one hundred ninety instructional days per school year.  Meanwhile, Senate Bill 2470 requires all public schools, including charter schools, implement a minimum of two hundred days of classroom instruction per school year.

Since teacher furloughs began on October 23, 2009, the total instructional days in Hawai'i dropped to 163, the lowest in the country, according to data from the Education Commission of the States. Across the nation, the majority of the states set a school year at 180 days, which means Hawaii's students are in school 17 days fewer than those in the mainland.  Globally, Japan leads other countries by prescribing a minimum of 246 calendar days of classroom instruction, including half-day Saturdays.  

The committee also continues to support Senate Bills 2124 and 2436.  Both bills were advanced to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  Senate Bill 2124 would provide a source of funds to restore classroom days for this school year, while Senate Bill 2436 would provide a source of funds to restore school days for this school year as well as next school year.

A bill (SB 1346) introduced in 2009 by the Senate Committee on Education and Housing would provide funding for public education by eliminating the tax on our most basic needs while increasing the general excise tax rate.  It would also abolish taxes on several items such as groceries, certain medical expenses, and a portion of rent.  It would also double the standard for income tax deduction.  As a result, most of our residents would save money.  The bill is in the House Finance Committee.

The Senate Committee on Education and Housing is focusing its attention on supporting those five bills as they move through in the legislature. As a result, the committee decided to defer action on Senate Bill 2437, which also addresses the issues of restoring classroom instructional days and providing funds for this school year and next.