Categorized | Education

BOE meeting canceled ahead of furlough hearing

MEDIA RELEASE

The Board of Education has canceled its July 1 special meeting to discuss reductions to the Department of Education’s budget in light of a scheduled court hearing the following day.

Circuit Court will hold a hearing July 2 on challenges filed by labor unions against Gov. Linda Lingle’s plan to furlough government workers. Therefore, the Board has decided to hold off on budget deliberations pending the outcome of the cases. 

The board last met Monday, June 22, to discuss Lingle’s directive to lower the Department of Education’s budget by an amount equivalent to three furlough days per month, or an additional $270.3 million over the 2009-2011 biennium. 

“It would be premature for the board to take action on tough budget decisions ahead of legal challenges to Gov. Lingle’s furlough plan,” said board Chairman Garrett Toguchi. “Although schools open next month, the responsible thing to do is wait for the court to reach a resolution so the board can make an informed and final decision that will have the least impact on students, teachers and parents.”

The board earlier this month authorized the Education Department to utilize enough funds to allow schools to open. 

The board expects to make an announcement following the July 2 court hearing as to when it will reconvene to address the public school’s budget.

As was previously scheduled, the board’s Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support will meet July 1.

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