Public pressure is prompting the Board of Education to reject proposed cuts to the Learning Center program.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Facing public pressure, the Board of Education has decided not to cut funding for its learning center programs. Student advocates celebrate victory after last-minute campaigning.

Mililani High School performing arts students watched on the news last night as they fight to save statewide learning centers that help pay for after-school theater classes, robotics, agriculture and other programs.

They boarded school buses downtown Thursday to testify before a Bank of England vote on a proposal that would cut $1.7 million from the Department of Education budget for 29 learning centers.

“We are not just numbers on a sheet. We’re making an impact in the community and that’s what we’re here for,” said Mililani High School student Thea Vaoifi.

State Rep. Amy Perruso called the proposed budget cuts “misguided” and “irresponsible.”

After widespread criticism, board members rejected the cuts, saying the proposal was part of an effort to provide more control over spending at the school level.

“The board believes that now is not the right time to change the way learning centers are funded,” said Roy Takumi, chairman of the Board of Education.

Takumi also said that the BOE generally believes that schools should decide the economic, financial and academic fate of each school.

For most of the students gathered in the Bank of England boardroom, this was their first experience of testifying before a government council.

“This is my first time in this building and doing something like this. I think it’s really cool,” said Alexa Kamalani Green, a student at Mililani High School.

“Our message is that these learning center programs are truly an integral part of our success and our high school community,” said Jace Hasegawa, a student at Mililani High School.

This group argues that art, robotics and other favorite programs have been saved for now, and this was a lesson in outreach beyond the classroom.

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