Lingle plans more money for schools
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Gov. Linda Lingle has recommended increased spending on public schools over the next two fiscal years, although educators will likely ask the state Legislature for more money.
The governor on Monday proposed increasing school spending from about $1.8 billion this fiscal year to more than $2 billion for each of the next two fiscal years. Lingle also wants to cut 129 school jobs next fiscal year, based on school enrollment projections, but would bring back 40 positions the following year.
While the state Department of Education's overall budget would increase, Lingle and department officials remain apart on spending for several school initiatives.
The state Board of Education, which sets school policy, has indicated that it will ask lawmakers for millions in spending that Lingle did not include in her budget. One DOE estimate has Lingle and the department $64 million apart.
The Lingle administration and the DOE are also still in talks over enrollment projections, with a chance that the job figures — based on enrollment — could be revised. The DOE initially projected that enrollment would decline next fiscal year but now predicts enrollment will increase by 1,223 students.
Charter school administrators may also ask lawmakers for more money after Lingle's budget planned $31 million a year for the schools, an increase over current spending but short of what the schools are seeking. Charter schools want $43 million next fiscal year and $45 million the following year, said Jim Shon, the state executive director for the schools.
The governor, meanwhile, is proposing a slight reduction in spending for the state's public libraries, or about $325,000 from a $31 million annual budget. Libraries, which were forced to reduce hours because of budget cuts last year, have struggled to fill vacancies.
The Lingle administration told lawmakers yesterday that it would ask for emergency spending this fiscal year of about $12 million to pay for autism and behavioral health services required by a federal court case covering special-education students.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
