A citizens group said it wants Gov. Linda Lingle to release money to fund the remaining three Furlough Fridays in the 2009-2010 public school year.

Save Our Schools spokeswoman Marguerite Higa said Lingle has the power to release funds immediately and that the governor, teachers union and state Board of Education are not that far apart.

“;We're extremely frustrated that the furloughs are still in place. ... The two sides are so close. They're quibbling over minor details,”; Higa said.

“;It's time to just finish it off and get the kids back in school.”;

The group held a news conference yesterday afternoon at the state Capitol, as another Furlough Friday passed and legislators discussed using money from the state Hurricane Relief Fund to finance a budget shortfall in public education.

Earlier this year the Hawaii State Teachers Association and state Board of Education proposed spending $92 million in hurricane funds to finance the budget shortfall.

Lingle wants to spend only $62 million and does not want “;nonessential workers”; returned to work.

Higa said Lingle officials excluded bus transportation and utilities from their proposal and that the nonessential workers are really needed, including librarians, clinical psychologists and social workers.

“;They are not optional employees,”; Higa said.

Lingle's senior policy adviser, Linda Smith, said there are no funds available to fund the remaining three Furlough Fridays.

Smith said $35 million in federal stimulus money has already been committed to improving education.

Smith said that contrary to Save Our Schools' assertion, the $62 million Lingle proposed to spend did include bus transportation and utilities.

She said Lingle received the list of nonessential workers from the state Department of Education during labor talks with the teachers union last year.