One of the most controversial and hot topic on Hawaii nowadays is the Furlough Fridays on all public schools statewide. It was a headline news both on Maui News and Honolulu Advertiser the other day. The Hawaii furlough fridays are having a dramatic impact on our communities, our economy and our ailing educational system. So many are affected including teachers, other DOE staffers, parents, kids, and businesses.
The current Hawaii Furlough Friday schedule is: Fall 2009: 10/23/09, 10/30, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 Spring 2010: 1/15/10, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 3/5, 3/12, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14
A website was recently put together by concerned parents regarding this issue: furloughfridayshelp.com. This is what they said it’s about: We are an evolving, grassroots organization consisting of many parents, teachers, civic organizations and citizens who believe that the furlough Fridays policy is detrimental to Hawaii and its people. Our mission is to raise awareness about this issue and to garner enough support to ensure that it is reversed. We also want to close the door legislatively so that such policies which could endanger the future our youth are no longer possible.
Since today is ALOHA FRIDAY, I would like to take this opportunity to ask A Maui Blog’s readers and fellow bloggers what they think about Furlough Fridays. Do you agree? Do you disagree? if you can give a brief reason why, that would be great (but if you just want to answer “agree” or “disagree” that’s ok too.
To understand more what “Aloha Friday Blog Carnival” is about, and to find the links of those who are participating, please go to An Island Life (click here). Aloha everyone!
I’ve heard of this before. Economically, it may help but, seriously,here in the Midwest, it would cause more trouble than it’s worth.
Have a great Friday.
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/12/are-you-into-holiday-season-this-year.html
.-= harriet´s last blog ..I love December Stuff- updated 12/4 =-.
I’ve never heard of furlough Fridays before. It’s a day off school? I can see how it would be pain for parents who need child care, plus I think kids need consistent schedules. Taking some Fridays off, but not all, would feel chaotic. A school district near us takes every Friday off, while adding one hour to each day through the rest of the week. It saves them money, the parents like it, the kids obviously like it, and the kids don’t lose any educational value. What Hawaii needs (we lived there for awhile and had a child in public school there . . . that’s why we homeschool now) is to decentralize their school district. One district for the entire state is ridiculous. How can they address the needs of individual schools effectively? Plus such a huge bureaucracy is extremely wasteful of funds, most of it going to a bureaucrat instead of the kids.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Aloha Friday Poll =-.
I think it’s shocking and a terrible disservice to the children of HI and their parents. Irresponsible and short-sighted. HI has so much gov’t bureaucracy, and instead they cut the school budget. Terrible. Virginia has the 3rd best schools in the nation and when they are making budget cuts, it’s never with the schools. It’s obvious that giving every child a top-notch education is the top priority in this state, and I’m grateful for it’s impact on my grandchildren.
.-= Karen Johnson´s last blog ..Counting Our Blessings =-.
I am not a believer in Furlough Fridays. My daughter attends a multi-track school which means she is in school for 2 months and off for 3 weeks year-round. Now on top of that she’s going to have another 17 days off? That’s just crazy!
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