[ TEACHER STRIKE ]

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Higher taxes for
salaries has support,
survey says

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By June Watanabe
Star-Bulletin

A PRELIMINARY Department of Education poll shows nearly two-thirds of Hawaii taxpayers would support a small tax increase if the additional revenue is earmarked to improve public education.

The DOE's Hawaii Opinion Poll on Public Education, conducted last February, showed 64.5 percent of 620 people surveyed saying they would strongly or somewhat favor a one-half of 1 percent increase in the state general excise tax devoted to public schools, while 63.7 percent said they would back a 1 percent increase in the state income tax.

But, 77.4 percent favor more financial support for public education from private companies and individuals.

Only 37 percent said they would support charging fees for textbooks, with 54.5 percent strongly opposing such a move.

The poll, released yesterday, is the sixth survey of public perceptions of Hawaii's public schools since 1990, according to the DOE.

Respondents to the poll also feel that school safety, teacher qualifications and discipline were the most important factors in judging school quality.

For more details on the poll, check the DOE's Web site, doe.k12.hi.us.

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