Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has released state funds for the last round of public school teacher pay raises, even though random drug testing for instructors has not been implemented.
Ms. Lingle, a Republican, had said that withholding the money until random testing for drug and alcohol abuse was implemented was an option. She wanted to hold teachers to a contract they accepted last year that includes 11 percent in pay raises over 18 months along with the testing. But the testing has been delayed pending state Labor Relations Board hearings.
In July, the state filed a complaint with the board against the Hawaii State Teachers Association, alleging the union failed to negotiate the terms of the testing program in good faith.
The HSTA also filed a petition asking the board to make a declaratory ruling on the legality of a random drug testing program for teachers.
