HONOLULU -- The Board of Education on Thursday approved $226.8 million in reductions to the state Department of Education's budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The reductions were made to comply with spending restrictions imposed by Gov. Linda Lingle and the Legislature.
The funds will come out of several sources, including $117.4 million in labor costs yet to be determined through ongoing contract negotiations.
The adjustment also lists $40 million in funding cuts approved by the board in October, $16 million from a 5 percent cut in school supplies and equipment, about $630,000 in savings from the closure of Wailupe Valley School and other funds.
Board Chairman Garrett Toguchi said he reluctantly approved the financial plan, realizing that the state could minimize budget cuts to schools by tapping into the Hawaii Hurricane Relief and Rainy Day funds.
The state Department of Education faces an additional $241.74 million budget reduction in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
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