LT. GOVERNOR AIONA CALLS FOR PROMPT END TO TEACHER FURLOUGHS

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today issued the following statement regarding efforts to restore 17 furlough days scheduled for the 2010-2011 school year:

“In my ongoing discussions with parents, teachers, principals and administrators across the state, I am convinced that the best way forward is to focus our efforts on returning children to the classroom next school year. 

“With the funding appropriated by the State Legislature, and the HSTA’s willingness to allow children to return to class on six non-instructional days, we have the resources to achieve a comprehensive solution to end teacher furloughs.

“Any comprehensive solution will require the involvement of the Governor, BOE, DOE and HSTA to come together and work out their differences. None of them can solve this issue alone, and all must come together in agreement. We are within reach of ending teacher furlough days, and there’s room for compromise. 

“The Governor has offered $57.2 million and the Legislature has appropriated up to $67 million so that we can resolve the remaining 11 days and move on to improving the quality of our education system so all of our children have access to a better future.”

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