Lately there have been lots of press regarding the school furloughs that have taken place since October 2009. For the past six days, protesters have taken seat either in Gov. Linda Lingle's office or protest outside of Washington Place in order to bring awareness to finalizing a solution.
But there is none.
The furloughs have been a controversial topic amongst Hawai'i residents. Though some individuals may support the govenor's decision in putting the furloughs in place, an overwhelmingly majority of the population do not agree.
The honoluluadvertiser.com has a countdown which keeps track of the amount of days since the very first furlough. As of today, the countdown is at 171 days.
The last I checked, out of all the states in the U.S. Hawai'i had the greatest number of furlough days... leaving our students to be in schools the least.
The instillment of furlough days will certainly hurt Hawai'i's high schoolers in the future- when they apply to colleges. Having our high school students not be in school is not the answer. But if it isn't... then what is?
I understand the reasoning behind the furloughs (though I may not agree with it, I understand the reasoning). I think that our economic state is in such a comprimise that however way we decide to cut costs, it'll come at the expense at a lot of individuals. Schools, just so happened to be at the losing end of the battle.
I understand that the schools don't have enough money to operate like they did before... or else we wouldn't be in this mess. I get that teachers can't take anymore pay cuts because they need to make a living too. I get it, that's great. People now want to tap into the state's Hurricane Fund for money... but remember that saying about saving money for a rainy day? When that day comes, then what?
In times like these, we can't be picky. Some people need... while some need to give. And with the public unhappy with the students "giving" up their school days... there needs to be a different solution. So who's going to "give" now? The answer: no one. No one wants to give up their jobs, their money, etc in these tough economic times. But someone does. If we want the students back in school, someone's got to give up something.
I may not be educated enough to come up with my own solution to end furloughs, but I do believe that we need to make the students a priority. THEY are the future generation... and if the future generation isn't getting the education they need... then we as a state will fail.
Education is the wrong industry to cut funds from. As it is 1 in 5 Hawaiian's can't read. If we got rid of this Kamaaina discount nonsense maybe we would have more money for education. I just believe it's simple arrogance. Legalizing gambling would bring in more money for the state but it's just wrong in the eyes of the legislation but the cost of this arrogance is of course the cost cutting back in the education system. It's Hawaii's own fault it doesn't have any money really.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying Chelsea, but it is, like you say, hard to find out what and where we can cut money from. I definitely don't think school is the right place to start cutting. Like you said too "They are our future generation!" I think students are in school way too little anyways- people need more time in school- more time to learn, so that someone can take care of this state in the future!
ReplyDeleteMy roomate is a teacher and he loves furlough fridays because they pay him regardless (under contract). Also, they're paying him while on suspension. The D.O.E. does NOT have their priorities right!
ReplyDeleteThis is just sad. The whole system needs a whipping. Everybody needs a whipping! What is America coming to? Even third world countries give greater priority to educating their children.
ReplyDelete