Posted on: Friday, March 21, 2003
Waimanalo Library children's program is spared shutdown
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
KANE'OHE — The state Board of Education last night saved the Waimanalo Public and School Library's Saturday morning children's program from closure.
The decision means that Waimanalo will have the only library in the state operating more than five days a week once state budget restrictions kick in later this spring.
State Librarian Virginia Lowell decided to cut libraries' hours to 40 hours, five days a week to manage a 2.5 percent — or $526,000 — budget cut.
The Friends of Waimanalo Library want it to stay open Monday through Saturday because the extra day would cost the library system nothing. A Verizon grant pays for the program and a coordinator on Saturdays.
Richard Burns, Waimanalo branch library manager, said the $15,000 grant keeps the library open Saturdays for youth and adult-literacy programs and computer training.
While Lowell said she supports the Waimanalo program, she warned board members that granting an exemption will lead to more libraries asking for special considerations.
Also last night, teachers showed up in force at the board meeting to push officials to recognize their teaching load, long work day and increasing pressures.
"We need to be honest about what is required of teachers," said Andrea Aiona, a teacher at Waiau Elementary School.
The Hawai'i State Teachers Association, the union representing teachers, is asking for a 6 percent raise over two years but has come to loggerheads with state negotiators. Earlier this month HSTA declared an impasse in contract negotiations.
Although the state's education budget has come under scrutiny, a proposed 50 percent cut to the $5.2 million budget of the Adult and Community Education Program took board members by surprise.
Gov. Linda Lingle's administration has asked the DOE to provide an impact statement on the idea. "This has not occurred yet," said Superintendent Pat Hamamoto. "The governor is looking at ways to cut the budget and this was a proposal."
The adult education program provides literacy programs, English As A Second Language classes and high school equivalency programs. Recreational classes charge fees that make them self-sustaining.
"A lot of people see us as basket weaving," said Stephen Miyasato, DOE educational specialist. "They don't see our relationship to K-12. We serve a lot of dropouts and other people in need."
Hamamoto said the 50 percent cut would jeopardize some of the state's neediest residents, compromise efforts to comply with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and jeopardize $1.1 million in federal money for the program.
