DOE appreciates audits on spending

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser pointed to the need for the state Department of Education to "Tighten oversight on schools’ buying" (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 13). We agree.

We acknowledge the importance of continued improvements in this area, and will take the essential steps to balance flexibility in meeting educational needs with fiscal responsibility. The department has already moved aggressively to increase training on procurement rules, implement recommended corrective actions and establish a fraud hotline.

Audits are critical evaluations that help us to work smarter and more efficiently. From senior leadership to directors to school administrators to teachers — staff at all levels are accountable.

As public servants, we are committed to raising accountability in our state government and providing a quality education for all students.

Amy Kunz
Assistant superintendent and chief financial officer, Hawaii Department of Education

Public schools striving to their best

I really take offense to Harold Burger’s comments made about the public schools ("Public schools show poorly," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 14).

Unfortunately, the public schools are mandated by law to accept all students that live within their districts, whereas the private schools can be selective in their admission requirements, which accounts for their students having an advantage and the most representation in the National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists.

Having worked in the public school system for more than 30 years, I am proud of the public schools and my students, none of whom have been named finalists, but of whom many have gone off to colleges such as Wellesley, Yale, Harvard, Oberlin, Mt. Holyoke, Northwestern, USC, Occidental, etc.

The public schools are striving to do their best. Being named as a National Merit Scholar, although commendable, does not reflect on the true merit of the public schools.

Randall Ng
Kapahulu

TheBus needs more revenue to operate

The City Council’s proposal to eliminate senior fares on TheBus may appear noble at first glance.However, the problem with TheBus is not a lack of senior ridership; at $30 per year, the current fare is not a deterrent to ridership. The problem with TheBus is insufficient fare box revenue as a percentage of operating cost.

It may not be popular with everyone, but fares should be raised to provide public transportation at a level close to what people have come to expect.The fact that people have come to expect a high level of service indicates that Honolulu has managed TheBus well over the years.

What we need now is elected representatives who do not starve the TheBus as they pander to seniors. The City Council ought to take action to increase, not decrease, revenues.Otherwise, there will be more reductions in service next year, pushing ever more people off TheBus and into their cars.

Jim Hayes
Manoa Candidate, City Council District 5

Hawaii will be hurt by sequestration

We are about to experience "sequestration," which, according to U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will cut the military budget over the next 10 years to levels not seen since the beginning of World War II.

The Navy, he said, will be cut to fewer than 230 ships, the nation’s military ground force to 1940 levels and the Air Force to its smallest tactical force in its history.

According to McKeon, there will be a loss of 1 million private sector jobs and 350,000 civilian jobs, and Hawaii is in the top 10 states that would be most affected. But where is the discussion in Hawaii? Where is the worry?

It’s time to discuss this issue and stop hiding and hoping it will go away. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue but our country’s issue.

Larry R. Wilson
Aiea

Council resolution insult to free speech

City Councilman Tom Berg has worked tirelessly to expose the corruption of our county government concerning the rail project. So, when it comes to having somebody voice opposition to this blundering project, the Council ups the ante with Resolution 26-206 that limits free speech and is financially punishing. Only in Hawaii could a governmentdeny a Council member a right to his full paycheck just becauseheraises his voice out of disgust.

If Resolution 26-206 ever is used against one of our Council members to squelch free speech or limit his or her voting rights or dock a paycheck, then that penalty should be placed on all of the Council members and they should be evicted from office. Shame on our corrupt elected leaders.

Joshua Fish
Pearl City

Conservative logic is really baffling

I find it odd that conservatives use the example of teacher pay in decrying a "bloated government."

For instance, David Brooks said, "The Chicago school system is a classic case of a bloated, inefficient … organization. The average school teacher makes $76,000 a year in a city where the average worker makes $47,000 a year" ("Even Democrats recognize ‘Economy II’ needs reform," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17).

The idea that a college-educated teacher’s salary should equal the average of all workers is fundamentally a socialist concept. Conservative logic is really baffling.

Peter Barmus
Kailua