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The University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents will discuss ways to reduce operating expenses and a letter asking Gov. David Ige to halt pay raises at its meeting Thursday.

The teachers union and DOE came to an agreement that 6 feet of spacing in classrooms will be the norm, with anything less than that requiring a contract exception.

The state’s 37 charter schools are relying heavily on parent feedback for reopening in the fall but are also worried about funding if the state cuts back its budget.

The issue of whether 3 feet is adequate spacing between desks in certain instances caused the Board of Education to seek further clarification from the DOE.

Public schools depend on substitutes to help deal with a statewide teacher shortage, but their eligibility for summer unemployment insurance is in limbo.

The Hawaii DOE is also adjusting school bus plan options to account for the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hawaii Keiki program to expand school-based health options for students started a health hotline after schools closed because of the pandemic.

The panel discussion highlighted how Hawaii leaders have an opportunity to “build up something that is more equitable and fair and just.”

Individual public schools have until Wednesday to decide whether students will be on campus full time in the fall, or whether they will offer a different learning model.

The university is working closely with state health officials to keep students safe, but said coronavirus cases on campus were “almost inevitable.”