Posted on: Sunday, November 28, 2004

Fourth teacher at Campbell could be deployed

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer

Campbell High School might lose its fourth teacher to military deployment in January, but most Hawai'i schools have felt little effect on teaching staff from the mobilization of more than 2,000 National Guard members in recent months.

Across the state, only 14 teachers are on military leave without pay, according to the Department of Education. Campbell is the only school with more than one teacher on leave.

The numbers are less than anticipated. In initial reviews, the Hawai'i National Guard anticipated between 60 and 100 public school employees might be activated.

However, Hawai'i National Guard spokesman Maj. Chuck Anthony said that of the 2,260 members of the 29th Infantry Brigade who have been activated so far, 24 are employed by the DOE, and may or may not be teachers.

Among other activated teachers, four came from the University of Hawai'i, two are employed by Hawai'i Pacific University, two work for Honolulu Community College and two others likely teach at private schools, he added.

Curtis Matsushige, a Campbell High physics teacher, said his National Guard unit has been put on alert, but he has yet to receive any orders.

Right now, he is concentrating on trying to finish his conceptual physics class, which ends next month.

"Hopefully, if I go in January there will be a clean break for them," he said. "We're finishing up exams and so forth, so I hope I can stay with the kids until the end of the term."

Matsushige, 50, would be the second science teacher Campbell loses to the military. But, despite the shortage of science teachers across the state, it was easy for the school to find a substitute to replace the science teacher already lost to the military, he said.

Matsushige, a newlywed, is more concerned with his home life and the effect a deployment would have on his Japanese wife, who is still learning English.

"It's nerve-wracking," he said.

This would be Matsushige's second activation. He was sent to Germany in 1997-1998.

Under DOE policy, teachers on military leave have re-employment rights when they return. However, Matsushige said that if he returns mid-year he might have to serve as a substitute at first.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.