(Yesterday, the Legislature yesterday moved ahead on bills that would divert money from the Hawai'i Hurricane Relief Fund but delayed action on a proposal to increase taxes or take money from the rainy day fund.)

It seems when it comes to using money to end the problem, many would rather just keep furloughs in place — it is far and away ahead in the poll.

It is an unscientific poll (it is possible to vote several times from one machine), but do you think this is a fair representation of public sentiment?

There are two primary proposals: Change the Board of Education from an elected board to one appointed by the governor, and give principals direct control of 90 percent of budgeting for their schools. (They currently have control of about 70 percent under the Weighted Student Formula.)

Former schools chief Pat Hamamoto weighed in that BOE governance issues aren't nearly as important as funding, pointing to the $468 million in cuts from the governor and state Legislature for the 2009-11 period that led to teacher furloughs and other restrictive measures.

And the chief financial officer of the Department of Education noted that the 70 percent of the budget that principals control now goes to student achievement spending (textbooks and supplies, the hiring of teachers, librarians, resource professionals, tutors), while the rest goes to district concerns such as bus transportation, food services, utilities, building repairs, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation and federal compliance. James Brese said:

"Principals need to be the educational leader for their school, and having to take care of all that administrative-type stuff just adds more work."

From a governance perspective, however, Waihee said revamping the BOE would clarify responsibility for education.

"Right now you have too many masters and there is no clear sense of who is in charge of education. Obviously the superintendent is, but she or he has to answer to a Board of Education, a Legislature and a governor. When you have that type of diffused responsibility you have a situation that is less than accountable,"

Read the story and tell us your take.

Postscript: Today we mark 100 days since the beginning of teacher furloughs.

Not really. The sale, to be held Friday morning at the Capitol (the 9th teacher furlough day) is symbolic, of course, but a nice reflection of how Hawaii comes together to help out when it comes to supporting our kids. Zippy's chili tickets for new uniforms, School Kine Cookies for a music program or to send a cheer squad on a Mainland trip.

Now, with "Cookies for Classrooms," Hawaii Education Matters is teaming with Save Our Schools Hawaii, Kanu Hawaii and The Learning Coalition to rally against the continued impasse in resolving teacher furloughs. Baked goods will be for sale, and storyteller (and baked goods titan) Wally "Famous" Amos will read to children.

The event goes from 9 to 11 a.m., and people are encouraged to bring their own homemade signs. Some supplies will be available for children to make their own signs as well.

Meanwhile, today's story from education reporter Loren Moreno shows no give on that impasse going forward. The teachers' union is sticking to its agreement with the DOE that uses $35 million from the rainy day fund to resolve furloughs for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year. But Gov. Linda Lingle, who has a different proposal using $50 million to end furloughs through 2011, would have so sign off on it to release those funds. Gov. Lingle's senior advisor, Linda Smith, made clear the governor is sticking to her proposal.

"The governor proposed a very responsible plan that solves furlough Fridays for this year and next year. She would be willing to spend $50 million to cover both of those periods. It is not acceptable to spend almost two-thirds of the available money to just solve the current year."

The Legislature is looking at a number of proposals as well. Rep. Roy Takumi, chairman of the state House Education Committee, said those could come out this week. But he noted, whether it's one of those proposals or the teachers' union's agreement, "ultimately the governor will have to decide whether she will release those funds."

The 9th teacher furlough day approaches this Friday. We'll be watching closely.

Teacher Furloughs: We Don't Wanna Play — board game.

In an effort to remind all parties that the clock is ticking and the public expects more, The Advertiser is posting on the front page and home page the number of days elapsed since the first teacher furlough on Oct. 23, 2009.

That is 89 days as of Wednesday. Hawaii's public school children have lost 8 instructional days (although some schools were granted permission to convert teacher planning days into instructional time to cover that gap).

What's the point? It's just a number, after all. But the protests are dying down and perhaps we're growing accustomed to less school time for our public school kids. So the number is there as a reminder:

• We haven't forgotten
• We do care
• Public education is important
• Preparing children for a globalized, digital future (and present!) should never be a class issue — that future belongs to all bright young minds who want to seize it

(Postscript to all the editors out there: We acknowledge it's technically a "countup," as the numbers will increase as we are distanced from Oct. 23. Just didn't have the same ring.)

Parents, is this how you are feeling? Or have you by now enrolled your children in other activities to substitute for the gap in class time? Do you still have a vested interest in seeing public education leaders reset the school year as negotiations continue to drag?

The program, set for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is open to kindergarteners through fifth-graders. It will feature science, math, nutrition, art and physical education as well as a lot of time out in garden areas and hiking.

Registration is required; cost: $40. For additional information, call Jill Laughlin, 988-0461, or send e-mail to jlaughli@hawaii.edu.

Gov. Linda Lingle signed off on it because she wanted a labor settlement — any labor settlement — to break the logjam with public workers on the payroll savings she needed to balance the budget.

The teachers' union appeared to hope that putting hurt on students and their parents would create exactly the crisis atmosphere that ensued and help teachers get their money back.

The Board of Education wanted to express its pique at having to take the same budget cuts as other state departments as the deficit soared past $1 billion, instead of being given special immunity from the worst economy since the Great Depression.

Meanwhile, the governor's team said they will revamp a deal between education officials and the teachers union that would reduce teacher furloughs this year and next, a proposal they hope to deliver before the next furlough Friday on Jan. 15. Perhaps the rhetoric on all sides will tone down enough to get a viable deal through.

Here's the video link. What are your thoughts?

There are concerns going forward, however. Board of Education member Karen Knudsen said the DOE's budget still faces a $40 million budget shortfall for the current school year, even if the furlough deal passes, which could potentially result in layoffs or increasing class sizes. It's a difficult time for leadership transition.

"I've worked with four superintendents ... so there is always a transition. It can be scary for the field. They get nervous about what's going to happen, if we're going to change direction. But it moves on. I'm not nervous. We don't have time to be nervous."

Parents, what are your thoughts?