(AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige has told the state Department of Education that its budget cuts would be reduced by about $123 million because of additional federal funds and more optimistic revenue projections. The state agency learned of the news on Thursday. The DOE had been expected to reduce its overall budget by about 10% — that figure has been reduced to about 2.5%. A 10% budget cut could have resulted in the loss of almost 1,000 department positions, including about 800 teachers, special education teachers, librarians and counselors. It also would have cut many physical education, art and robotics programs, among others.
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