Thursday, October 1, 2009

Parents consider paying teachers | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser


Parents consider paying teachers HonoluluAdvertiser.com The Honolulu Advertiser:

"Parents at some public schools are looking into the possibility of renting their schools and paying teachers directly to keep their children learning on 'furlough Fridays.'"

The plan has caused some concern that Hawai'i's public school system is opening itself up to a new form of privatized education.

Several Parent Teacher Student Associations around the Islands are trying to figure out how much it would cost per family to pay to have their children's teachers in school during 17 upcoming teacher furlough days — and to keep the school lights on and the air conditioning running, said Valerie Sonoda, president of the Hawai'i State PTSA.

The topic was discussed at a meeting last week at 'Aikahi Elementary School attended by about 50 parents.

Some were concerned that they — and not their tax dollars — would bear the direct costs of educating their children on teacher furlough days.