December 15, 2009
Regarding 12/15/09 meetings with representatives from the state, Wil Okabe, HSTA President, said, "Today's talks with the governor's office and representatives of the DOE and BOE were productive. We are hopeful that our ideas are being carefully considered, and we look forward to further discussions tomorrow".
In response to the statement by Linda Smith, Okabe added, "Hawaii's teachers will be glad to know the governor understands the need for planning days".
From THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER
Honolulu Advetiser Articlehere»
Updated at 2:20 p.m., Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lingle to work with teachers to keep planning days
Advertiser Staff
Following several hours of negotiations between state officials and the teachers union, Gov. Linda Lingle's senior policy adviser Linda Smith said the Lingle administration acknowledges the need for teachers to have planning time.
Lingle had originally called for teachers to forgo planning days to reduce some of the furlough days adopted this year to save money.
Smith said the negotiators are now working on a way to accommodate teacher planning time while restoring all the furlough days starting in January.
The negotiations have ended for the day and will resume tomorrow morning at 8:30 at the Department of Human Resources.
Also today:
The state Board of Education Committee on Budget and Fiscal Accountability meets to "consider options" for the Department of Education to fund 27 school days.
Board Chairman Garrett Toguchi, in a news release, said the $50 million will not cover all payroll and operating expenses to open schools 27 days.
"The board must review the budget and consider every possibility to bring students back to the classroom as soon as possible while also ensuring that they receive adequate services in a safe environment."
