Teachers want
‘education governor’

The educators want a chief
executive who will keep public
schools a top priority

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Large class sizes, increasing classroom responsibilities, limited resources and teacher layoffs as a result of budget cuts.

With the state's economic crisis cutting into Hawaii's public schools, teachers are looking for a governor who will keep education a top priority.

Delegates to the Hawaii State Teachers Association's annual convention yesterday gave mixed reviews on whether they believe Gov. Ben Cayetano, a Democrat, will continue supporting public education.

They gave an enthusiastic response to Maui Mayor Linda Lingle's "can-do" attitude and the Republican's efforts in the public schools and at the community college level.

Their responses came after Cayetano and Lingle addressed the HSTA convention, held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, another GOP gubernatorial hopeful, is scheduled to speak today.

The 340-plus delegates representing more than 11,000 Hawaii public-school teachers il,18p,6p9 are not expected to endorse a candidate for governor until June or July.

Cayetano said the key to funding quality public education lies in the state's economic recovery and a governor willing to fight for education.

Since he was elected in 1994, Cayetano has given education top priority and spared the Department of Education the deep cuts other departments are experiencing, earmarking more than $320 million of capital improvements for schools and finding money in other state programs to pay teachers for seven additional days.

"There's no denying he is one of the most supportive governors we've had for education," said Mae Kishimoto, technology coordinator at Ahuimanu Elementary.

Teachers clapped when he said a Senate proposal to cut the salaries of state employees by 10 percent is not only illegal, but unnecessary.

But behind the applause, "there's a lot of tension among members at this time," said HSTA President June Motokawa.

Teachers are frustrated over workload increases and proposals to increase classroom sizes -- the teachers' No. 1 concern. And they remember the prolonged contract negotiations last year that nearly ended in a strike.

"I think he was speaking to a huge bunch of skeptics," said Annette Spinaio, a Kahuku High School social studies teacher.

Some teachers said they thought Lingle had a "refreshing" candidness and were impressed by the way she worked with the Maui County Council to bring the Hula Bowl to the Valley Isle.

They also liked how she got the island's taxpayers to match Maui Community College funds to start the University Center so more people would have an opportunity to attend college.

Lingle said she believes the only way the state can adequately fund public education is to expand the state's economy to generate more revenue by, for instance, cutting taxes and regulations and stopping waste.

"The truth is, there is no excess money for education, environment, health care or any issues that concern us as citizens," Lingle said. "All we're doing is competing for a share of a pie that's getting smaller."

She said education is made a priority through action -- which means a governor who fights any move to increase class sizes by appearing before the Board of Education to explain how it hurts children and teachers, or ensures that funds reach schools so teachers don't have to spend hundreds of dollars of their own money for supplies each year.

"She's pro teacher, pro education," said Socorro DeGuzman, a Makakilo Elementary teacher. "If we're not satisfied with the job they're doing, just don't re-elect them," said Toni Lee, a special education teacher at Makakilo Elementary.

"It may be time to make a change."