Education briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Opposition solid to hike in bus fares
The Department of Education has completed 13 public hearings on the proposal to double the price of school bus fares.
At meetings across the state this spring and summer, members of the public in general told school board members and school superintendents that they are opposed to the fare hike, and on O'ahu, petitioners opposed an increase in eligibility distance for O'ahu middle and high school students.
The state Department of Education wants to raise the school fare from 25 cents to 50 cents per ride to help make up part of a projected $4 million deficit in its transportation program, which will cost nearly $26 million next year. The proposed fare increase and changes in bus service could affect up to 30,000 public school students who pay the fare or ride for free. An additional 3,300 special education students also ride free but would not be affected by the plan.
The department will present its findings to the Board of Education's Support Services Committee at the end of August.
Seven middle schools win arts awards
The Hawai'i Alliance for Arts Education has selected seven Hawai'i middle schools for the group's Arts Excellence Awards for 2002.
The alliance wanted to applaud the seven schools for stressing the importance of arts education as part of the overall curriculum, said Alliance executive director Marilyn Cristofori.
The three public schools selected — Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School, King Kalakaua Middle School and Kawananakoa Middle School — will receive cash awards from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
The four private schools selected — Clearview Christian Girls School (Maui), Iolani School, Maryknoll Middle School and Mid-Pacific Institute — will receive their cash awards through private sources.
"Time and again, statistics consistently reveal that the arts make a profound difference in the lives of children and youth, academically and developmentally," Cristofori said.
The alliance will formally recognize the schools at Celebrate the ARTS! Alliance Awards 2002 program Oct. 5 at the Hawai'i Theatre.
'Ewa Beach library granted $15,000
'Ewa Beach Public and School Library has received a $15,000 grant from the Campbell Estate and the James & Abigail Campbell Foundation.
The library has used a portion of the grant to purchase a digital microfilm printer and reader, which is available for use by library patrons. The rest of the grant will be used to purchase a second-hand microfilm reader.
'Ewa Beach Public and School Library is on the campus of Campbell High School.
Retirement changes library leadership
Caroline Spencer, who has spent more than 30 years with the Hawai'i State Public Library System, including the past 11 years as the director of the Hawai'i State Library, retired at the end of June.
She is replaced by Jo Ann Schindler, who headed the library's business, science and technology section for more than 12 years. Schindler started as the new state library director July 1.
