The new appointed Board of Education held its first public meeting on Tuesday.
They got kudos for efficiency, wrapping up a busy agenda ahead of schedule. But the realities of budget shortfalls and pending teacher contract talks loom.
The governor's appointed Board of Education replaces an elected group, and their first orders of business ran the gamut from committee assignments and structure to getting a rundown of where things stand financially from the public school superintendent -- including the expiration of tens of millions in federal stimulus money after this year and next.
"After next year -- year 11-12, we will not have those funds, and that will be a big budget hole that we won't have the money to cover," said Superintern Kathryn Matayoshi.
An estimated $100 million to $115 million additional reduction is eyed in each of the next two years.
"The numbers seem staggering but when you look at it as a percentage, it's 5-10% adjustment which is substantial and painful but it requires you to prioritize, like any household," said BOE chairman Don Horner.
After going over the numbers it was back to sorting out how this board will do business, including new committees that plan to take a hard look at policies, finances and achievement.
"Today is important for the average family because it represents the first step in a new beginning for the way education decisions will be made in the state of Hawaii," said education chairwoman Sen. Jill Tokuda. "I would say get ready because they want your help, they want to hear from you."
Also keeping them busy is the pending teacher contract -- largely at issue, how to pay for or maybe have to scale back a law that lengthens the school day. The state budget that could include any extra money is quickly coming to a close.
"Timing is everything with that, because if collective bargaining ends after session is over, which is next week thursday, therein lies a difficult issue, in which it would just be a restriction upon the department of education," Tokuda said. "Hopefully we'll have a contract that comes out as a win win for everyone involved."
One proposed version of the budget already allocates $60 million in each of the next two years to lengthen the school year. Stretching the school day to comply with a new law from last session is something the teachers union and lawmakers continue to discuss.
