The Commission announced today that it will release enough funds to pay teachers and staff at Hālau Lōkahi Charter School through January 31, 2015 in order to allow families and staff two more weeks to make transitions to new schools and new employers. At that point—and hopefully sooner—all students should have transferred to other schools.

The school is still entitled to avail itself of the process of requesting a hearing by the Commission on the final closure decision, and after that it would be able to appeal the Commission’s decision to Board of Education. The school will continue to exist as a legal entity for purposes of this process, but even if the Commission were to release all of the funds the school would have normally received for the remainder of the school year, they would be insufficient for operations during this process—even if they were not already spent.

The Commission is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and welcome that Hawaii’s public schools, DOE as well as charter, are providing Hālau Lōkahi’s students and their families, and we are attempting to assist staff with transitions as well.

Click here to read the press release.