Furlough plans are already taking their toll and causing some confusion and additional expense.
For example, Department of Health nurses who provide care to medically fragile children in Hawaii’s public schools have been notified of their potential furlough days.
But because the children cannot be left unattended, outside nurses need to be hired. Sources say those contractors cost more than the state staff.
The Department of Health told KHON2 the Department of Education will be asked to reimburse the health department for outside nurse expenses.
They say they've been working toward the DOE taking over the payroll for the nurse staff prior to the furlough plans.
The health department says the first school nurse furloughs would hit July 10th if the plan is not blocked in court.
