When the political heat is on, the state Board of Education just can't seem to get the job done. The latest case in point is the proposal to increase school bus fares to help offset the gaping (and growing) budget hole. The board deadlocked this week on a proposal for a hefty increase in bus fares. While the large increases may in fact be too steep for parents to absorb all at once during these tough times — one-way trips would jump from 35 to 75 cents and an annual pass would go from $119.60 to $225 — the board could have amended the plan, opting for smaller, more incremental hikes.

Instead, they did nothing, effectively killing the plan.

But doing nothing in this economy is not an option. The hard facts remain the same: There is simply not enough money to continue operating the way we have been during more prosperous times. And the BOE is charged with making these difficult, and politically unpopular decisions — they're expected to lead. That means working effectively with the DOE to make the needed $227 million in cuts to its $1.8 billion budget.

If the goal is to mitigate the impact on the classrooms — as it should be - things such as bus fares and other expenses deserve a hard look.

In the case of bus fares, the DOE now covers about 93 percent of the cost of operating the bus service. It costs $45 million to operate; the DOE collects only about $3 million. And that cost is expected to rise another 15 percent next year. About 40,000 students use the bus service. Under the proposed fare hike plan, financially strapped students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program that currently receive a free school bus pass from the state would have continued to do so — mitigating the impact on those who can least afford it.

Superintendent of Schools Patricia Hamamoto said she'd try to push another proposal on fare increases through the board again. "We're going back to the drawing board because we realize it's important that we look at different options and other plans to get this done," Hamamoto says.

Smart move. Just waiting for labor cuts to materialize or for the state Legislature to ride in on a white horse and save the day — as some on the board are hoping for — is a poor strategy. Even with labor savings, cutbacks in programs and services appear inevitable.

Indeed, the board failed twice to approve a spending plan for our state libraries, which remain in financial limbo. Now, library officials say if something is not done, the system will run out of money before the end of the current fiscal year.

Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi, who did support the fare increase proposal, said he understands the frustration, but added that the deferrals have been justified. He also says the public has a role to play: "I think the public should be aware of the board's actions. If they're not happy with the decision board members make, then they should use that information and make sure they go out and vote — the public gets what they vote for. The public needs to take responsibility for that, too."

Agreed. So voters, are you listening? Hawai'i's public school students deserve a Board of Education that is engaged, lives up to its fiduciary responsibility and is willing to make the tough decisions during these difficult times. And if they can't, voters owe it to students to elect a school board that can.