Commentary from Senator Sakamoto

May 26, 2010

Plan To End Furlough Fridays

Governor Lingle, along with the Board of Education, Department of Education, The Hawaii State Legislature and Hawaii's local banks announced a plan to end Furlough Fridays.

The agreement was made possible by a partnership between the State, teachers and the major banks in Hawaii. The plan calls for the use of:

• $57.2 million from the Hurricane Relief Fund
• $2.2 million in federal funds for charter schools
• 6 planning days the teachers have given up in order to convert them into instructional days
• $10 million interest-free line of credit from local banks if additional funding is necessary

See below for links to newspaper articles published on this matter:

Hawaii's school furloughs are over - LOREN MORENO, Honolulu Advertiser, 5-26-10

Schools' furlough days are pau - B.J. REYES, Honolulu Star Bulletin, 5-26-10

As stated in my Island Commentary (Honolulu Star Bulletin, 10-29-09), I was “confident that there is an approach to funding that will address the varied concerns of our state government, the DOE, our teachers, parents and students.  I am equally confident that with real leadership and a focus on what is best for our children; our community will find that solution.”

We are grateful that all parties involved have reached a solution to return our students to the classroom for the entire upcoming school year.  We are especially appreciative to the banking community for their generosity.

Parent advocates, Melanie Bailey and Kathy Bryant and Senator Sakamoto celebrate the end of Furlough Fridays.