Teachers angered by state proposal

Teachers scrambled for news and contacted their union and government leaders Wednesday, two days ahead of the Department of Education's plan to unilaterally impose a 5 percent wage reduction and other contract conditions.

In summer school classrooms, on social media websites and through email and phone calls, Hawaii public school teachers mulled over the DOE's offer, set to go into effect Friday, and several expressed anger and disappointment over the unprecedented way in which the contract proposal was being implemented.

"We were all anticipating some kind of cut, but we felt we would have the right to vote on it before the DOE would just put it in place," said Larry Denis III, a computer resource teacher at Waikoloa Elementary who joined a discussion about the contract offer on the Hawaii State Teachers Association's Facebook page.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, meanwhile, noted Wednesday that most state workers will get similar pay cuts when the administration begins working under its new budget Friday.

Denis, in a phone interview from West Hawaii, said the DOE's move to unilaterally impose the new contract was "really a slap in the face," adding, "For a majority of teachers, the feedback I'm getting is that we are not happy."

Cynthia Suehiro, a math teacher at Kaimuki High, said she's "furious" over how the teachers contract is being imposed without union approval, and is also angry over increased costs for medical premiums.

"This is just being shoved down our throats," she said. "It's union busting."

The DOE announced last week it would implement its "last, best and final" contract offer for Hawaii's 12,700 public school teachers after being unable to reach a deal with the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

The governor and schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi say the new contract is needed to achieve 5 percent labor savings and put changes in place before the new school year begins Aug. 1.

The existing two-year contract for teachers expires today, and it remains unclear what the HSTA's next steps will be.

Union leaders said Wednesday they were still exploring their options, and remain interested in returning to the bargaining table.

Congresswoman Hirono Votes to Improve Hawaii Charter Schools

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today voted to reauthorize the federal Charter School Program in the House Education and the Workforce Committee. The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act, HR 2218 , H.R. 2218 would strengthen quality and accountability in the nation’s charter schools, and passed the committee by a bipartisan vote of 34-5.

There are 31 charter schools in Hawaii. Twenty-four of those schools are located in Congresswoman Hirono’s district, which includes the Neighbor Islands and rural Oahu.

“I have personally visited or met with representatives from over a dozen of Hawaii’s charter schools. Many charter schools provide innovative approaches to learning, including the 17 Native Hawaiian-focused charter schools that use the Hawaiian language and incorporate traditional cultural knowledge as part of the curriculum,” said Congresswoman Hirono.

A 2004 study by Kamehameha Schools found that Native Hawaiian students at these charter schools have lower absenteeism and higher grade 10 reading and SAT scores than Native Hawaiians in other public schools in Hawaii.

“Last summer I visited Ka ‘Umeke Kā‘eo Hawaiian Immersion Charter School on Hawaii Island.  The proud 4th and 5th grade students showed me the school garden, which is integrated into class lessons.  Most memorable was watching the worm composting process, which was a favorite with the students.  We know that creative, engaging, hands-on experiences foster student learning.”

One of the original purposes of the Charter School Program was to promote collaboration between charter schools and traditional public schools by fostering an exchange of ideas. This bill refocuses on that original purpose.  In addition, safeguards are put in place to ensure charter schools are equipped to adequately serve disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities and English language learners.  The bill is supported by the National Disability Rights Network, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and the Council for Exceptional Children.

Hawaii charter schools serve close to 9,000 students, statewide, or about 5% of Hawaii’s student population.  That represents a close to 50% increase over the last 3 years.

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