Gov. Linda Lingle told reporters yesterday that there are several alternatives available to restore classroom instruction time lost to teacher furloughs.

The governor said schools could request exemptions from the school board to increase instruction time or convert waiver and planning days to instruction days. She also said the Department of Education, the school board and the teachers union could reopen contract talks and agree to a 5 percent pay cut instead of furloughs.

Lingle dismissed calls by some state lawmakers and educators for a special session to tap the state's hurricane relief fund to offset teacher furloughs. The governor, like state House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Pälolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), said education spending should be dealt with next session in the larger context of the state's $1 billion budget deficit through June 2011.

"I think it would be really reactionary and premature to do right now when we really don't know what our revenues will be coming up on this next quarter," Lingle said. "I think it would be better to get into session, to take a broader view of the budget overall.

"I think it wouldn't be a good idea right now to start getting into any sort of special fund transfer at this time."

The state Senate, meanwhile, announced yesterday that a special committee looking into potential options to reduce or eliminate teacher furloughs has scheduled its first public meeting for tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at the state Capitol.

The committee will make recommendations to the full Senate, including whether lawmakers should return in special session.

State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kauai, Niihau), who has called for a special session, said closing schools on Fridays should not be an option. Hooser believes a majority of senators would back a bill taking about $60 million from the hurricane relief fund to restore classroom instruction days through the end of the school year. Lawmakers would decide what to do about next school year during the next session.

Hooser said it is important for senators to stand up even if there is not support for a special session in the House or by the governor. "I can't accept not doing anything," he said.

— Derrick DePledge