Statement from HSTA President Wil Okabe:
December 29,2009

"HSTA is disappointed in the governor’s negative response to the agreement it reached with the DOE and BOE to eliminate furlough Fridays and return teachers and students to the classroom.

The governor’s pattern of unilateralism –from insisting on an all or nothing approach that compromises student safety and teachers’ ability to effectively teach, to walking out on discussions, and yesterday’s decision to summarily shoot down a viable solution to eliminate furlough Fridays-- is a cruel blow to students, teachers, and their families.

The governor’s response also neglects to acknowledge that the two planning days that teachers would give up in the new agreement are above and beyond other planning days that teachers at 184 of 260 schools had already volunteered to give up at the individual school level weeks ago.

While the prospects for a solution are slim with the governor’s current unilateral stance to the issue, HSTA remains open to work collaboratively with our elected officials, parents, and community leaders to eliminate furlough Fridays, especially given the urgency of applying for federal Race to the Top funds within the next month."

STATEMENT FROM THE BOE:
HONOLULU -- After negotiations with the Administration broke off on Dec. 16, the Board of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association remained at the table. Today, after learning that the HSTA Board of Directors had approved an agreement, I called the Governor’s office and requested a meeting before the end of this week to discuss details of the plan. While the Governor has rejected our proposal to reduce furlough days, I hope that she will be available to meet and negotiate so we may reach a settlement to return students to the classroom. The Board is very aware of the unprecedented economic challenges facing our state. This latest plan is by no means the optimal solution, but it is important to note that it relies on significantly less Rainy Day funds, adequately staffs schools, eliminates furlough Fridays in the current school year and rearranges furloughs next academic year to minimize disruption to teaching. I look forward to meeting with the Governor so we can do what is right for Hawaii’s children and our state's future.