Maine Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rosa Scarcelli has been vocal in her opposition of shut down days. Through her Twitter account Scarcelli has expressed a strong opposition to the idea. “Could there be a worse idea,” Scarcelli said. Dirigo Blue published an email from Scarcelli which argued against shut down days.
For a state that already has one of the shortest school years in the country, there has to be a better solution. That we’re even considering a plan to balance the state budget on the backs of school children and their parents with one-time, quick fixes like school shutdown days clearly shows how bad our state’s budget problems have become. And it shows why we need a change of direction in Augusta.
Consider the ramifications. Parents will have to take time off from work or find childcare for their children. Low-income families that rely on the school lunch program will pay more to make sure their children get enough to eat. The interruption in classes will be difficult for teachers too, who are already hard-pressed to find the time to comply with state and federal mandates.
We can’t rely on a band-aid approach. We need strong financial management and more creative, bold thinking. Have we truly looked at all the options? School officials say shutting down the schools for a few days a year will save on heat and electricity costs. Maybe local school districts should consider more vacation time in the winter when heating costs are high and extending the school year into the summer.
I guess we are not the only warped-minded State. In Augusta, Maine, the government tried to do the same thing. Stephen Bowen of the Maine Heritage Policy Center believes that shut down days are a terrible way to balance the education budget. Bowen offers several alternatives that should be considered. School consolidation, which the state has fumbled badly, was an opportunity to “generate real savings by cutting down on over-administration and duplication of services. The approach I proposed, which was to create regional “service districts” that handled back-office operations, facility maintenance, transportation and so forth for a number of districts, would have saved millions without completely restructuring the entire system by which our school districts are organized and run.”
I think it is time we call for a performance audit on the Department of Education. They have had their chance to improve education for our kids. I think it may be time to move to local school districts. Local control of our schools appears to be the answer. The current system, where the State controls our educational system, simply does not work. Local school districts with their respective school boards would bring local control to our schools. Local accountability and local answers. I'm sure many will disagree but the current system is not working. It's time for a change. It's time for our kids to become the priority once again.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Lingle traveling to China to promote Hawaii tourism, build partnerships
Honolulu Advertiser breaking news on the internet. My question is simple. Shouldn't we be investing in our kids' education before tourism and partnerships?
Lingle acknowledged that she will be leaving the state during a debate over an estimated $1 billion budget deficit through June 2011 and public backlash over teacher furlough days.
But the governor said it is equally important for the state to look to increased business development and prepare for the economic recovery.
Maybe I'm just totally off track. Sorry for the short post but I know I will say the wrong thing if I continue. I'll just go to my room and breathe. This is really draining on the body and the mind. Good night.
Lingle acknowledged that she will be leaving the state during a debate over an estimated $1 billion budget deficit through June 2011 and public backlash over teacher furlough days.
But the governor said it is equally important for the state to look to increased business development and prepare for the economic recovery.
Maybe I'm just totally off track. Sorry for the short post but I know I will say the wrong thing if I continue. I'll just go to my room and breathe. This is really draining on the body and the mind. Good night.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Legislators, Please Rise to the Occasion
Below is a letter that was written to House Speaker Calvin Say from a concerned parent on Kauai. This same parent has also been trying to get some answers from the Governor's office for quite a while. The question is a simple one. Did the State receive federal stimulus dollars for education, and if so, where did all the money go? Of course, she has not received any answers.
Dear Representative Say:
Two years ago when you were considering convening a special session to draft legislation to keep the Hawaii Superferry operating, you were quoted in the Honolulu Advertiser as saying,"For me, when you have a crisis, that's when you're supposed to rise to the occasion.
"The State has a crisis today - with our schools closed for 34 days over the next two years and with the shortest school year in the country (and the state with the second fewest number of days has 10 more days than we do).
I expect you to lead the House of Representatives to rise to the occasion for our schools, the way you did so swiftly for the Superferry - a single business -- two years ago. Please gather support in the House for this important initiative.
If you haven't already done so, please read the online petition directed to the legislators and Governor Lingle. It has more than 2500 signatures - at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/hawaiieducationmatters
Thank you,
Representative Say has publicly stated that he will not support a special session to try and end the school furloughs. Yes, he pushed hard for the special session for the Superferry a few years ago. Apparently, the Superferry fiasco rose to the level of a "crisis" but the education of our children does not. Auwe! Shame, shame!
From the Pacific Business news, October 24, 2007,
Special session opens on Superferry bill
The Hawaii Legislature went into special session Wednesday to consider legislation to help get the Hawaii Superferry back into operation.
The Superferry suspended its interisland operations in late August, following a court order and community protests.
Gov. Linda Lingle on Tuesday ordered lawmakers to convene, stating that "a large capacity interisland ferry is in the public interest and proposed legislation to allow its operation and harbor improvements to continue to be constructed, while environmental review are conducted, require immediate action by the Legislature."
Back in 2007, the Governor and the Legislature felt that saving the Superferry was in the public interest and special legislation was required. This could only be done via a special session. Are they saying that the Superferry was more important than the future of our children? I sure hope not. I guess we will find out soon enough. God help our children.
Dear Representative Say:
Two years ago when you were considering convening a special session to draft legislation to keep the Hawaii Superferry operating, you were quoted in the Honolulu Advertiser as saying,"For me, when you have a crisis, that's when you're supposed to rise to the occasion.
"The State has a crisis today - with our schools closed for 34 days over the next two years and with the shortest school year in the country (and the state with the second fewest number of days has 10 more days than we do).
I expect you to lead the House of Representatives to rise to the occasion for our schools, the way you did so swiftly for the Superferry - a single business -- two years ago. Please gather support in the House for this important initiative.
If you haven't already done so, please read the online petition directed to the legislators and Governor Lingle. It has more than 2500 signatures - at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/hawaiieducationmatters
Thank you,
Mother of two children in public schools
Graduate of Kapaa High School, University of Hawaii-Manoa, & the William S.Richardson School of Law
Representative Say has publicly stated that he will not support a special session to try and end the school furloughs. Yes, he pushed hard for the special session for the Superferry a few years ago. Apparently, the Superferry fiasco rose to the level of a "crisis" but the education of our children does not. Auwe! Shame, shame!
From the Pacific Business news, October 24, 2007,
Special session opens on Superferry bill
The Hawaii Legislature went into special session Wednesday to consider legislation to help get the Hawaii Superferry back into operation.
The Superferry suspended its interisland operations in late August, following a court order and community protests.
Gov. Linda Lingle on Tuesday ordered lawmakers to convene, stating that "a large capacity interisland ferry is in the public interest and proposed legislation to allow its operation and harbor improvements to continue to be constructed, while environmental review are conducted, require immediate action by the Legislature."
Back in 2007, the Governor and the Legislature felt that saving the Superferry was in the public interest and special legislation was required. This could only be done via a special session. Are they saying that the Superferry was more important than the future of our children? I sure hope not. I guess we will find out soon enough. God help our children.
Monday, October 26, 2009
"I can't tell you why we didn't go for wage reductions or holidays" -- Garrett Toguchi, Board of Education Chairman
Many of us wonder why furloughs were ordered. Many of us feel that other avenues should have been explored. In yesterday's Star-Bulletin, we start to see the rationale, or lack thereof. According to the Star-Bulletin,
In Star-Bulletin interviews with key players, differing versions emerge about who first raised the furlough idea. But it is clear that other options -- such as straight pay cuts or widespread across-the-board layoffs -- were rejected by both the unions and employers early in the negotiation process.
Wil Okabe, president of the HSTA, stated that the decision to furlough was simply based on dollars. It was the best method to save the State money. It is clear that the education of our children was not considered. The fact that the furloughs were set for instructional days versus non-instructional days validate this theory.
The article further states,
Asked why the union did not look to either taking the furloughs during other times, such as at the end of the school year, Okabe said it would have affected other unions such as the UPW and also might have cut teacher's service credits because they would not have worked enough in the spring quarter to earn service credits for retirement.
This makes no sense. With the current furlough schedule, UPW workers are now reporting to work at empty schools. How much sense does that make? Mr. Okabe was worried about service credits for the teachers' retirements but not about the number of school days that our children would lose. Come on, Mr. Okabe. Can't you come up with a better excuse? We are not stupid.
Unfortunately, our children will end up the losers in this battle. Hopefully, the lawsuit filed by Mr. Seitz will change things. I am hopeful that it will. But until then, we can only watch as this State continues its tailspin. I would have hoped that regardless of the economic crisis here in Hawaii, our children would have been protected. Well, they haven't. They continue to be used as pawns in the battle between the government and the labor unions. This is shameful. Our kids are our future. After all, isn't that what ALL the politicians profess when they are running for office?
In Star-Bulletin interviews with key players, differing versions emerge about who first raised the furlough idea. But it is clear that other options -- such as straight pay cuts or widespread across-the-board layoffs -- were rejected by both the unions and employers early in the negotiation process.
Wil Okabe, president of the HSTA, stated that the decision to furlough was simply based on dollars. It was the best method to save the State money. It is clear that the education of our children was not considered. The fact that the furloughs were set for instructional days versus non-instructional days validate this theory.
The article further states,
Asked why the union did not look to either taking the furloughs during other times, such as at the end of the school year, Okabe said it would have affected other unions such as the UPW and also might have cut teacher's service credits because they would not have worked enough in the spring quarter to earn service credits for retirement.
This makes no sense. With the current furlough schedule, UPW workers are now reporting to work at empty schools. How much sense does that make? Mr. Okabe was worried about service credits for the teachers' retirements but not about the number of school days that our children would lose. Come on, Mr. Okabe. Can't you come up with a better excuse? We are not stupid.
Unfortunately, our children will end up the losers in this battle. Hopefully, the lawsuit filed by Mr. Seitz will change things. I am hopeful that it will. But until then, we can only watch as this State continues its tailspin. I would have hoped that regardless of the economic crisis here in Hawaii, our children would have been protected. Well, they haven't. They continue to be used as pawns in the battle between the government and the labor unions. This is shameful. Our kids are our future. After all, isn't that what ALL the politicians profess when they are running for office?
Friday, October 23, 2009
Need I Say More?
From today's Honolulu Advertiser:
Hawaii erred in cutting education
Reduction in school days is not the way to invest in education
By Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education
Our country is at a crossroads. The economy is in its worst recession in a generation. State and local tax revenues have been hit especially hard in the economic downturn. We need to make sure our important government services are sustained during our nation's economic troubles.
At the same time, we need to invest in our future. Too many of our schools are not preparing students for success in college and careers.
The statistics are troubling. On international tests, American students are struggling to compete with their peers around the globe. Twenty-seven percent of the nation's ninth graders don't finish high school within four years. In Hawaii, 36 percent of freshmen don't complete high school on time.
As a nation, only 40 percent of our adults complete a two-year or four-year college degree. That was good enough to lead the world a generation ago. But today it puts us behind our international competitors. Now more than ever, we need to invest in schools so we can educate our way to a better economy.
Hawaii has been making progress on student achievement. Over the 20 years that the National Assessment of Educational Progress has been given to states, Hawaii students have recorded steady gains.
Now, however, Hawaii is cutting 17 days from the current school year. All states are under financial pressure, but none are cutting this much learning time from their school year. This is a step in the wrong direction. It's inconceivable to me that this is the best solution for Hawaii.
President Obama and Congress worked together to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Recovery Act. The law includes $100 billion for education. Of that, $40 billion or more will help states avoid devastating cuts in K-12 education and drive reforms in states. My department has already made $105 million available to Hawaii from this stabilization fund. Hawaii is eligible for $52 million more when we release the rest of those funds later this year. In total, Hawaii's schools and students are scheduled to receive more than $500 million from the Recovery Act.
In addition, my department has $5 billion for competitive grants to advance school reform. The $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund will reward states that are leading the way in reform and making education a priority. The $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund will go to districts that are advancing research-based programs to improve student achievement.
I understand that Hawaii is feeling the pain of the economy more than many states. The tourism industry is struggling. The unemployment rate is climbing. Investments in commercial real estate are declining. Tax revenues aren't meeting your budget projections. These are tough times, I know. But now is not the time to decrease investment in education. Hawaii's economic problems should not be creating an educational crisis for its children.
I was disappointed to learn that Hawaii has started closing its schools on most Fridays and will reduce the 2009-10 school year by 17 days. Sure, students may like the three-day weekends now, but I know they also realize that they will lose out in the long run if they don't receive the education they need and deserve. They understand that they won't be prepared for success in the global workforce if we cut back on the amount of time they spend in school.
Since becoming secretary of education in January, I've urged states and districts to increase the amount of time students are learning. Our competitors across the globe are doing that — and they're reaping the economic benefits of a well-educated work force.
School districts across the country are using Recovery Act funds to lengthen their school days or school years. During my seven years as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, I saw schools that extended learning time make gains in student achievement. When done right, extended learning time allows schools to creatively add activities that reinforce what students learn during the regular school day and expand student participation in the arts and other enrichment activities.
I will work closely with Hawaii's Congressional delegation. But solving this problem will take more than federal assistance. The people in Hawaii must come together to create a solution. Elected officials, educators, union officials, community leaders and parents must work together to do the right thing for Hawaii's children.
There has to be a better solution than cutting more than three weeks from the school year. Even in these difficult financial times, we have to invest in our children's education — not reduce their opportunity to prepare themselves to succeed in the global marketplace.
Arne Duncan served as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools from 2001 through 2008, prior to becoming U.S. Secretary of Education under the Obama administration.
Hawaii erred in cutting education
Reduction in school days is not the way to invest in education
By Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education
Our country is at a crossroads. The economy is in its worst recession in a generation. State and local tax revenues have been hit especially hard in the economic downturn. We need to make sure our important government services are sustained during our nation's economic troubles.
At the same time, we need to invest in our future. Too many of our schools are not preparing students for success in college and careers.
The statistics are troubling. On international tests, American students are struggling to compete with their peers around the globe. Twenty-seven percent of the nation's ninth graders don't finish high school within four years. In Hawaii, 36 percent of freshmen don't complete high school on time.
As a nation, only 40 percent of our adults complete a two-year or four-year college degree. That was good enough to lead the world a generation ago. But today it puts us behind our international competitors. Now more than ever, we need to invest in schools so we can educate our way to a better economy.
Hawaii has been making progress on student achievement. Over the 20 years that the National Assessment of Educational Progress has been given to states, Hawaii students have recorded steady gains.
Now, however, Hawaii is cutting 17 days from the current school year. All states are under financial pressure, but none are cutting this much learning time from their school year. This is a step in the wrong direction. It's inconceivable to me that this is the best solution for Hawaii.
President Obama and Congress worked together to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Recovery Act. The law includes $100 billion for education. Of that, $40 billion or more will help states avoid devastating cuts in K-12 education and drive reforms in states. My department has already made $105 million available to Hawaii from this stabilization fund. Hawaii is eligible for $52 million more when we release the rest of those funds later this year. In total, Hawaii's schools and students are scheduled to receive more than $500 million from the Recovery Act.
In addition, my department has $5 billion for competitive grants to advance school reform. The $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund will reward states that are leading the way in reform and making education a priority. The $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund will go to districts that are advancing research-based programs to improve student achievement.
I understand that Hawaii is feeling the pain of the economy more than many states. The tourism industry is struggling. The unemployment rate is climbing. Investments in commercial real estate are declining. Tax revenues aren't meeting your budget projections. These are tough times, I know. But now is not the time to decrease investment in education. Hawaii's economic problems should not be creating an educational crisis for its children.
I was disappointed to learn that Hawaii has started closing its schools on most Fridays and will reduce the 2009-10 school year by 17 days. Sure, students may like the three-day weekends now, but I know they also realize that they will lose out in the long run if they don't receive the education they need and deserve. They understand that they won't be prepared for success in the global workforce if we cut back on the amount of time they spend in school.
Since becoming secretary of education in January, I've urged states and districts to increase the amount of time students are learning. Our competitors across the globe are doing that — and they're reaping the economic benefits of a well-educated work force.
School districts across the country are using Recovery Act funds to lengthen their school days or school years. During my seven years as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, I saw schools that extended learning time make gains in student achievement. When done right, extended learning time allows schools to creatively add activities that reinforce what students learn during the regular school day and expand student participation in the arts and other enrichment activities.
I will work closely with Hawaii's Congressional delegation. But solving this problem will take more than federal assistance. The people in Hawaii must come together to create a solution. Elected officials, educators, union officials, community leaders and parents must work together to do the right thing for Hawaii's children.
There has to be a better solution than cutting more than three weeks from the school year. Even in these difficult financial times, we have to invest in our children's education — not reduce their opportunity to prepare themselves to succeed in the global marketplace.
Arne Duncan served as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools from 2001 through 2008, prior to becoming U.S. Secretary of Education under the Obama administration.
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