Via Star Bulletin: After a school year cut short by 17 Furlough Fridays, public
school head into next year with a complete academic
calendar again. "The furloughs are over," Governor
Linda Lingle declared yesterday at a news conference.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association, the
Department of Education and Board of Education reached a supplemental
agreement in March to a contract that restored all furlough days. It was
contingent on the Legislature approving the funds and Lingle releasing
the money.
Lawmakers set aside $67 million from the Hawaii
Hurricane Relief Fund to fund the agreement. Additionally, $2.2 million in federal stimulus
funds is being allotted to cover charter schools.
The Department of Education has been given the discretion to decide
the schedule and determine which employees to bring back.
A $10 million interest-free line of credit is
being extended to the state by local banks to cover additional costs if
needed. Any loans must be approved by the Department of Budget and
Finance and may not be used directly to pay salaries. First Hawaiian
Bank has agreed to underwrite the full amount, officials said.
Via Star Bulletin