Hamamoto resigns

In a surprise move that was kept quiet for days, the head of the financially challenged state Department of Education has resigned.

In a Dec. 28 letter, schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto—whose department has been forced to cut the public school year by 17 Furlough Fridays this school year and next-- said her resignation was effective yesterday.

The resignation stunned some Education Board members who said they only learned of it yesterday.

State board member Lei Ahu Isa said she heard the news yesterday evening on television. "I'm kind of surprised at this point, but I don't blame her because she must be so frustrated with what's going on with this furlough thing," Isa said.

She said Hamamoto tried hard to resolve the budgetary problems and restore instructional days in talks with the Hawaii State Teachers Association and Gov. Linda Lingle.

Hamamoto and Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi met with members of Lingle's staff Monday to look at ways to increase the number of instructional days.

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Patricia Hamamoto will continue to participate in talks to end Furlough Fridays for Hawaii's public schoolchildren despite her sudden departure this week as schools superintendent.

"She's not in charge of it anymore ... (but) she said she would continue on the negotiating team," Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi said yesterday.

The Lingle administration, state education officials and Hawaii State Teachers Association leaders met Wednesday in yet another attempt to reach a deal that would end or reduce Furlough Fridays. Hamamoto attended that meeting even though she had submitted her resignation earlier in the week.