STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1741

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 154

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 154, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE GOVERNOR TO MAINTAIN TEACHERS AND SCHOOL-LEVEL PERSONNEL AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING A PANDEMIC WHEN CONTEMPLATING EMERGENCY FURLOUGHS AND LAYOFFS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage the Governor to maintain teachers and school-level personnel as essential workers during a pandemic when contemplating emergency furloughs and layoffs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically changed the State's education system, ultimately forcing teachers, school-level personnel, and students to adjust to remote online learning and blended classes.  In addition to the impact on the education system in the State, the COVID-19 pandemic further devastated the economy, thereby requiring the State to look at making potential cuts to the State's budget, including furloughing teachers and other school‑level personnel.  Teachers play a vital role in providing education to the youth of the State and other school-level personnel provide the necessary support to ensure that the youth receive a quality education.  This measure is necessary to ensure that teachers and other school-level personnel are considered essential workers to avoid any potential furloughs or layoffs during a state of emergency in order to provide quality education in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 154, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair