HI SR119

Urges the Governor to designate 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 announced furlough plans in December 2020 requiring teachers to take six furlough days between January 1 and June 30, 2021, though budget cuts were later reduced from 10 percent to 2.5 percent in January 2021.

Identifies that the Department of Education still faces approximately $140,000,000 in budget cuts for the 2021 school year, with close to 700 teachers subject to potential layoff.

Emphasizes that teachers and school-level personnel are designated as frontline essential workers by the Department of Health, meet the criteria for close public contact, and have been placed in the 1b vaccine distribution category alongside first responders and other essential workers.

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