Today is the 13th “furlough Friday” and Save Our Schools Hawaii held a press conference today at the governor’s office, calling on Gov. Linda Lingle to end the teacher furloughs.

SOS Hawaii delivered student testimonies on the furloughs to the governor, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Board of Education.
Last week, the state House Finance Committee approved a state budget draft that would add $50 million to reduce teacher furloughs next school year but would also make cuts to public education that could increase class size.
The $50 million in new money is about half of what educators believe is necessary to eliminate all 17 furlough days next school year.