Here are the new dates for the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) Teacher Assignment and Transfer Program (TATP) for the school year 2020-21.

Pay cuts for Hawaii state employees seem less likely after a new $470 billion coronavirus relief plan appeared ready for Congressional approval, while the president said further aid to state and localities would be discussed as part of the next aid package.

Gov. David Ige told a news conference Monday, “I just really want to assure everyone that salary reductions would be the last resort” in dealing with plummeting tax revenues because of the coronavirus.

The superintendent answered questions that are on many educators' minds, from a potential pay cut and budget issues to how school might look assuming classes reopen in the fall.

The HSTA joins HGEA and UHPA in working together to expedite relief for those recently unemployed in our communities. We call on our Oahu-based members who are able to volunteer to help process claims and get unemployment checks out quickly. 

Gov. David Ige said Friday that his controversial idea of cutting state employees’ pay by 20 percent—including that of educators—might not happen after all, and unions have been told even if salary cuts happen, they’ll start later than originally planned. "It is possible that there would be no salary cuts at all," he said.

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said, “As long as there was ambiguity about when school would open, it made it very difficult for our teachers to plan. Now we know what’s going to happen with the rest of the school year."

Sarah Tochiki, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School band director, said in a message to Gov. David Ige: "I write this letter to ask for you to fulfill what you said you would do, even with this added pandemic challenge."

The HSTA BOD is concerned that the demand for emergency loans by members during the coronavirus pandemic will exceed our financial ability to meet our members’ needs in an equitable manner.

Legislative leaders joined HSTA educators in opposing Gov. David Ige's initial pay cut idea, and he said Wednesday “no decisions have been made yet.“