Spring Break
Hawaii's 'Furlough Fridays' frowned upon
Michelle Anjirbag
Issue date: 10/27/09 Section: Commentary
Beautiful beaches, clear skies, and low pollution - from the chilly autumn East coast I am sitting on, the Hawaiian environment sounds ideal right now. After all, it is an island paradise that houses the only palace on American soil, a unique culture and the nation's shortest school year.
Last Friday marked the beginning of a two-year, statewide school furlough system where the schools will be closed two Fridays of every month - along with government offices - in order to make up for a budget deficit close to $1 billion. Hawaiian Gov. Linda Lingle is using this controversial move in conjunction with a 7.9 percent pay cut over the next two years with the state's teacher's union, whose members number 13,000. The Hawaii Government Employees Association will also begin a similar furlough program.
Needless to say, from parents to the President, many are unhappy with Lingle's decision. Hawaii already has some of the lowest test scores in the nation. On the first "Furlough Friday," a protest carried a petition with thousands of signatures to the state capital to meet in a closed session with Lingle. But the Governor's receptive nature to the complaints of parents, teachers and students will not be enough if nothing is changed. Many working parents now struggle to find childcare options or take the day off to care for their children. Communities have pulled together to help meet the needs of children and families in ways the state government has not. The Pearlridge Center mall had booths and workshops to provide constructive alternatives for families affected by the furlough days. Friends and relatives stepped up to the plate to watch children in their neighborhoods, and school administrators and PTAs have instituted learning opportunities that give children somewhere to go, and help them apply what the students have already learned. Such programs are barred from furthering students' educations by the Department of Education on these days, and administrators are also hesitant to do so, as it would give these students an advantage over those who could not participate in these programs.
Last Friday marked the beginning of a two-year, statewide school furlough system where the schools will be closed two Fridays of every month - along with government offices - in order to make up for a budget deficit close to $1 billion. Hawaiian Gov. Linda Lingle is using this controversial move in conjunction with a 7.9 percent pay cut over the next two years with the state's teacher's union, whose members number 13,000. The Hawaii Government Employees Association will also begin a similar furlough program.
Needless to say, from parents to the President, many are unhappy with Lingle's decision. Hawaii already has some of the lowest test scores in the nation. On the first "Furlough Friday," a protest carried a petition with thousands of signatures to the state capital to meet in a closed session with Lingle. But the Governor's receptive nature to the complaints of parents, teachers and students will not be enough if nothing is changed. Many working parents now struggle to find childcare options or take the day off to care for their children. Communities have pulled together to help meet the needs of children and families in ways the state government has not. The Pearlridge Center mall had booths and workshops to provide constructive alternatives for families affected by the furlough days. Friends and relatives stepped up to the plate to watch children in their neighborhoods, and school administrators and PTAs have instituted learning opportunities that give children somewhere to go, and help them apply what the students have already learned. Such programs are barred from furthering students' educations by the Department of Education on these days, and administrators are also hesitant to do so, as it would give these students an advantage over those who could not participate in these programs.
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