Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona says all the pieces are in place to end public school furloughs next year and is calling on Gov. Linda Lingle and the other parties to act.

In a statement released yesterday from his campaign for governor, Aiona said, “;We are within reach of ending teacher furlough days, and there's room for compromise.”;

Aiona said he thinks there can be a solution if Lingle meets with the Board of Education, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Department of Education.

“;The governor has offered $57.2 million and the Legislature has appropriated up to $67 million so that we can resolve the remaining 11 days and move on,”; Aiona said. “;With the funding appropriated by the state Legislature, and the HSTA's willingness to allow children to return to class on six non-instructional days, we have the resources to achieve a comprehensive solution to end teacher furloughs.”;

Lingle did not respond to requests for comment.

Garrett Toguchi, school board chairman, said he is glad that Aiona “;recognizes that the money is there,”; adding, “;I hope he will urge the governor to release all $67 million.”;

Lingle had previously said she would release only $57.2 million. Lingle has said that only essential workers need to be called back on furlough days, while the union and the school board had agreed to call back all school personnel.

“;He (Aiona) is right. The money is right there. The agreement is made,”; Toguchi said. “;It is a matter of committing to release the whole thing.”;

Clare Hanusz, with the parents group Save Our Schools Hawaii, expressed concern about the funding gap.

“;I am fearful that this $10 million difference is going to be a major sticking point,”; she said. “;Before there is any call for compromise, we need some clarification on Lingle's offer, or it's just going to go on and on and on—- and this needs to happen fast because teachers, parents and students need to plan for the next academic year.”;

Another parent, Marguerite Higa, said the group has repeatedly asked Lingle's office for information about the governor's plan but has gotten no response.

“;We're looking for signs that they are serious about getting the kids back in school, signs such as scheduling meetings and providing details of their plans so that everyone can understand them.”; Higa said.

Wil Okabe, HSTA president, said the Legislature approved taking the money from the Hurricane Relief Fund, and it is up to Lingle to sign the bill.

“;The governor cannot undo the agreement reached between the BOE and HSTA or change the legislation that funds it,”; Okabe said. “;Since the funds would not come from the state's general fund, the governor cannot claim that a revenue shortfall is reason to release less than the full amount appropriated.”;