Even as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has released new guidelines for reopening schools, the Hawaii Board of Education is holding a virtual public meeting this Thursday to get public comments on the State Department of Education’s current plan to reopen Hawaii’s public schools on August 4.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) President, Corey Rosenlee, has come out strongly against the August 4 reopening without better guidelines.  Statewide and nationally, it’s recognized that as parents begin to return to work, it’s important to have children return to school, but many parents, teachers, and administrators are concerned about the process and whether it’s safe enough.

The meeting is Thursday, July 30, at 1 p.m.  The agenda is available by clicking here.

Those who wish to testify may do so in writing (Testimony.BOE@boe.hawaii.gov). The, which is strongly encouraged by the Board, and also by video, but you must sign up at least 15 minutes in advance of the meeting in order to be able to testify.  Click here for that information and a link to the signup form.

To testify or listen, below is the information, but note, the Board says it will not take telephone testimony, just video, with advance signup.

Join the WebEx Meeting Online:

https://hidoe-events.webex.com/hidoe-events/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb6ab35a5c3019159aa255beb83cad75c

Meeting number: 126 109 6264 

Meeting password: joinmeeting

 

Join by phone:

1-844-621-3956 Call-in toll-free number (US)

Meeting Access Code: 126 109 6264

Attendee ID Number: #

Photo is Catherine Payne, Chair of the Hawaii Board of Education, photo courtesy Hawaii Teacher Standard Board, on which she also serves as an ex-officio member