BOE Chair to meet with Governor's Aide over plan to reduce furloughs

December 29, 2009

HONOLULU -- Hawaii State Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi will be meeting with representatives from Governor Lingle's office on Wednesday, Dec. 30, to discuss details of an agreement reached between the Board, the Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association to reduce the number of furlough days at public schools. Chair Toguchi will meet at 10 a.m. in the Governor's office with Linda Smith, her senior policy adviser, and Marie Laderta, the director of human resources development.

"Despite attempts to meet with the Governor, I look forward to sitting down with her representatives to seek the Administration's support of a resolution to reduce furlough days at our public schools. The Board and I remain committed to bringing students back to the classroom for as many days as possible. Failure is not an option when something as important as the education of Hawaii's children is at stake."