"Governor Lingle's plan to balance the state budget has dramatically increased the amount of funds that will be taken away from our public schools.

"The Board of Education will have to consider all options to cut costs while preserving instructional days to offer our students the quality education they deserve. Everything is on the table, including expansion of online learning courses, larger classrooms and a review of consultant contracts to aid struggling schools.

"Already anticipating steeper education cuts, the school board last month created an ad hoc committee to study ways to streamline Department of Education operations in an effort to save money and improve student achievement. A preliminary report is expected sometime this month.

"In the meantime, I urge Governor Lingle to apply for federal stimulus funds for education so that the Education Department can begin planning for reforms. Also, I strongly recommend the administration and the state legislature to consider raising the general excise tax to bring in additional revenue and help spare Hawaii’s public schools from additional budget cuts."