HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle said Monday she does not approve the state teacher's union's latest plan to eliminate furlough Fridays for the remainder of this school year.

Lingle said the agreement reached by the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Department of Education and state Board of Education is short-sighted and completely ignores the state's worsening economic outlook. Read Lingle's statement.

At issue are 27 furlough days -- 10 Fridays of no school statewide this year, and 17 more days next school year, that would save the state money amid a budget crunch.

The plan to restore seven of 10 furlough days this year comes with a big price tag and on Monday there were just three days to get it approved.

HSTA released a statement on Tuesday morning blasting Lingle's response.

"The governor’s pattern of unilateralism -- from insisting on an all or nothing approach that compromises student safety and teachers’ ability to effectively teach, to walking out on discussions, and yesterday's decision to summarily shoot down a viable solution to eliminate furlough Fridays -- is a cruel blow to students, teachers and their families," HSTA President Wil Okabe said. Read the complete HSTA statement.

Okabe made the rounds at the state Legislature on Monday to drum up support for the proposal, which takes $35 million from the state's Rainy Day Fund to restore five furlough days this school year. In addition, teachers would give up two planning days. And the school year would end May 21, nearly a week earlier than scheduled. The plan does not address the furlough days planned for next year.

"It doesn't address all the days, but it is a viable option or solution to get back on track," Okabe said.

The union wants to use the $35 million to give students more classroom time and increase the chances the state's public schools will qualify for $75 million more in federal funding.

But the plan needs the governor's approval. And at it this point, it doesn't appear the plan has it.

Lingle said she learned of the proposal through the media and said the proposal "is not a credible plan; it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable."

The governor wants to use $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund to help restore all 27 furlough days this year and next, but she also calls on teachers to give up many more noninstruction and planning days this year and next year, which is not part of the latest HTSA-backed proposal.

Lingle said she cannot agree to a plan "that does not solve the furlough situation and that shortens the school calendar."

Top lawmakers said they liked the proposal.

"I was impressed they were willing to restore instructional days -- and it's a start," House Speaker Rep. Calvini Say said.

The BOE is still hopeful the governor and Legislature will support the agreement and release the money. But on Monday, Okabe said it looks as if they'll have to start over on a new plan.