The full Board of Education didn't hesitate Thursday night, approving requests from 100 schools to lessen the impact of furlough Friday's on their students.
"None of us are really happy with furloughs, we've just done the best we can when you're cut almost $500-million in 2 years you gotta do something," said Maggie Cox, Board of Education member.
That something is for 5 schools to modify their bell schedules. Take Kapolei Middle for example. They will now switch their Friday class schedule to Mondays on furlough weeks. Instructional time will increase because students will be released at 2:22 in the afternoon instead of 1:49.
While, 95 other schools will instead be canceling or replacing waiver and planning days with regular school days.
"As much as possible based on school's need they're looking to add minutes or days," said Garrett Toguchi, Board of Education Chairperson.
Some schools will be able to make up anywhere from 2 to 6 days - that otherwise would have been lost.
"Truth is those days are extremely important for teachers for instruction so to give it up is a big deal," said Cox.
Still with 256 public schools altogether, there's quite a few left who have not submitted waivers to help increase classroom time. And the extended deadline to do so is November 13th.
"Glad that those schools have come forward early on and we're waiting for the next batch," said Toguchi.
"If schools can come up and cut off some of that and give back some of that instructional time then we're happy," said Cox.
