Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 17, 2023

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR A NEW TEACHER CONTRACT FOR THE STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS came from Gov. Josh Green and Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi when they held a press conference Monday with teachers union head Osa Tui, Jr.
    With 13,500 teachers represented by the union, the deal proposes an approximate 14.5 percent in pay increases over the four-year contract. Union members are scheduled to vote on ratification of the contract on April 26. 
    The Superintendent of Schools said, "This agreement helps set a solid foundation for the next four years with predictable increases that recognize the incredible work of the educators in our schools who directly

Hawai'i School Superintendent promotes ratification of a teachers union agreement during a press conference with Gov. Josh Green and HSTA chief Osa Tui, Jr. Photo from Gov. Josh Green

support student learning. It also elevates the teaching profession across the pipeline – from beginning teachers to veteran teachers to non-traditional teachers – while supporting their continued professional growth. The Department appreciates the collaborative effort under Gov. Green's leadership along with HSTA and the Board of Education to demonstrate our collective commitment to public education," said Hayashi.
    The Governor said, "This is another great step forward in raising pay and improving the quality of life for our teachers, who we value tremendously. I was honored to engage directly in the negotiations, to help move the needle forward toward this crucial collective bargaining agreement for our teachers and our kids."
   Tui, President of the union Hawai'i State Teachers Association, said, "Ultimately, the salary improvements we've secured and the many other improvements to contract language will benefit the public school students of Hawaiʻi who should see improved recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators to our classrooms."
    The proposed four-year contract provides average annual pay raises of 3.4% for teachers to help stabilize Hawai'i's public education workforce; raises pay for instructors, who are teachers working toward licensure, an increase that will also assist in teacher recruitment; and it provides bonuses for the most experienced teachers, to increase teacher retention.
   Additionally, teachers who traditionally work after-hours to support extracurricular programs such as band, drama and chorus, will receive raises to acknowledge their significant contributions to student enrichment.
    Other cost-items include increases in employer contributions to teachers' health insurance premiums.
    The agreement establishes a program to minimize learning-loss during emergency school closures, by allowing schools to continue delivering instruction. The agreement assures improvements in health and safety in the work environment, and provides for creation of work groups to address student needs including Hawaiian Education; Career and Technical Education; movement toward a restorative student discipline model and for English Language Learners (formerly English as a Second Language).

    For more see HSTA.org and Sunday's story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023/04/kau-news-briefs-sunday-april-16-2023.html

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KAʻŪ HIGH AND VOLCANO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCES students are invited to Hawai'i Community College Day at the main Manono Campus in Hilo this Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The Open House and Career & Resource Fair, co-sponsored by Hawai'i County, is also for adults as 

an introduction to higher education and training for numerous careers. Hawai'i Community College Day in Hilo will cover both Hawai‘i CC in Hilo, its second campus at Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui in Kona, and a learning center in Honokaʻa. 

    Community College Day will feature the Auto Body Repair & Painting Program's Car Show, as well as presentations and interaction with some 30 businesses and organizations.

    There will be food trucks and entertainment at noon from Lopaka Kenoi and CJ Kama. Also at noon will be food distribution in partnership with the Food Basket   

    Hawai‘i CC offers career and technical education programs that prepare students for the workforce. The college also offers affordable pathways to bachelor’s degrees by delivering associate degree programs designed to allow students to seamlessly transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hawai'i CC also offers college credits for undergraduates at Kaʻū High.

    

SIX STEPS TO FOOD BUSINESS SUCCESS is the subject of Hawai'i Small Business Development Center's webinar on Friday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The 6 Step Process for Successful Food Business Management is the strategic road map that helps food biz entrepreneurs customize their own strategy and road map to success. In this webinar, learn about the Tri-pod of Success and The 5 R’s - tools that empower and enable food and beverage business owners to succeed with far less mysterious outcomes and hard work and far more focused results-creating efforts.