Congressional leaders Thursday closed in on a $900 billion stimulus deal that includes more than $54 billion worth of aid for public schools, funds that Hawaii could use to stop or lessen the effects of furloughs scheduled to start in January and millions worth of public school cuts that could take effect next school year.

As schools resume in-person instruction on campus, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Hawaii Public Health Institute urge educators to join the fight against Hawaii’s youth vaping epidemic.

Nico Friedman, a teacher at Kealakehe High School on Hawaii Island, submitted public written testimony to the Hawaii State Board of Education.

The HSTA has not agreed to furloughs, and any implementation would violate our collective bargaining agreement. We are consulting with our attorneys and plan to take any legal action in the near future to challenge the HIDOE’s furlough plan.

“The Hawaii State Teachers Association requests that the Board of Education stand with our keiki and write a letter urging Gov. David Ige to prevent destructive furloughs and protect public education funding for our keiki.”

The Hawaii State Teachers Association encourages all members to share your personal stories on how potential furloughs will affect you and your students before the Hawaii State Board of Education holds its next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Each year, a winner is chosen based on his or her ability to demonstrate leadership, dedication and passion in five categories: scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community, and youth.

Hawaii State Department of Education employees will have to take six to 10 days of unpaid leave next semester, state Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said Thursday as part of the governor’s plan to impose statewide furloughs.

In an effort to expand the use of ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Education is offering an Introductory Level ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi course (in two locations) to all Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE) employees (certificated, classified, casual hires, and substitutes).

One day after Gov. David Ige announced plans to furlough tens of thousands of employees in his state workforce, details are emerging showing the so-called plan actually isn’t one.