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We wanted a copy of the teachers union contract with the Hawaii State Board of Education for reference as part of our education accountability coverage. We were checking into contractual questions raised in a Furlough Fridays discussion here at Civil Beat.

But when we asked the Hawaii Department of Education for a copy of the teachers union contract with the board, we were told to get it from the . The department spokesperson acknowledged the contract is a public document, but said our request would have to be submitted in writing and then run through various offices before a contract might materialize on the other end.

It’s a fundamental document that governs the department’s relationship with about 13,000 of its employees. It’s hard to believe it’s not on the desk of every principal and schools administrator. Yet not a one could be found to share with a member of the public.

We tried the teachers union, but it didn’t return our calls. A Twitter conversation with a teacher helped unearth the seemingly elusive that outlines the teachers’ and education board’s obligations to one another. And it came in digital form.

Ask questions and talk about the teachers union contract in our education conversation.