Could Teacher Contract Talks Affect Race to Top?
Hawaii’s teachers are already upset with the state for forcing a new contract on them — and it’s bound to have an effect on Race to the Top.
The state still needs teachers to agree to numerous Race to the Top promises, including annual evaluations, which have been controversial.
That makes clear, open communication among both parties essential, says Senate Education Chairwoman Jill Tokuda. Negotiators should be careful not alienate each other over the teachers’ contract, she says.
“If (Race to the Top promises) aren’t negotiated already, we’re going to have to go back and do that,” Tokuda said. “Like I said, I’m not involved in these discussions, but I hope everybody can come together and work through these issues, because the kids are expecting the adults to figure this out.”
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has been criticized for violating collective bargaining “good faith” by going public with his “last, best, final” contract offer for the state’s 12,700 public school teachers. The contract, with a 1.5 base pay cut and unpaid leave on “certain non-instructional days,” went into effect July 1 without approval from the teachers union.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association responded by promising to take legal action against the governor and Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.
Tokuda also serves on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. She told Civil Beat that although legislators directed each state department to negotiate a 5 percent labor savings with their respective unions, she and other lawmakers are careful to steer clear of all labor negotiations.
