News Archive
Citing additional federal funds, governor reduces DOE budget cuts
January 22, 2021
For months, HGEA has been advocating that the Ige administration hold off on slashing budgets and positions until more is known about additional federal relief aid for Hawaii.
At the Jan. 21 Board of Education meeting, Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto read a statement from Gov. David Ige that says he will reduce the department’s planned cuts from 10% to 2.5% by restoring $123 million to the DOE budget. Read the statement here.
Due to the fluidity of the state’s revenue, HGEA strongly believes that now is not the right time to make hard and fast decisions on state department budgets. These decisions will negatively impact employees' and students' lives, people in the school community and Hawaii's economic recovery and future.
READ: HGEA's testimony to the Board of Education
HGEA strongly urges the Ige administration to pause implementation of planned departmental budget cuts until more is known about how the American Recovery Act or other federal stimulus money will help Hawaii.
The Board took no action yesterday. HGEA will continue to track and monitor the situation and keep you updated.