HI SCR154

Urges the Governor to maintain teachers and school-level personnel as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic or any future pandemic when considering emergency furloughs and layoffs.

Notes that the Department of Education faced approximately $140,000,000 in budget cuts for the 2021 school year with close to 700 teachers subject to potential layoff despite a reduction from the original 10 percent to 2.5 percent budget cut announced in January 2021.

Recognizes that teachers and school-level personnel meet the Department of Health's definition of frontline essential workers as their duties require on-site work in close proximity to students and coworkers and are essential to society's functioning.

Highlights that the State has classified teachers and educational support staff in the 1b vaccine distribution category alongside other frontline essential workers such as first responders, corrections officers, and child care providers.

Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of the Board of Education, and President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.