Can you cut your way to the best education?

 All governments at all levels are dealing with interesting financial times. However, Hawaii has taken an "interesting" approach to dealing with the strained finances. Instead of cutting art, music, extracurriculars or other means we have discussed previously, the state of Hawaii has decided to cut 17 instructional days over the next two years. These Furlough Fridays will save some money, but what about the impact on education? (Read the story here).

Can children be prepared properly with 17 fewer days of school? What about parents and their work schedules? These are only a couple of the hundreds of questions that come to mind, did any of these come to mind in the 50th state before this action was taken?

Cuts in education frustrate me, but this is taking it to a further extreme. At a time we are struggling to make sure each and every child is learning and prepared for their life, can cutting be a way to do this? Is it worth the cost of the single advanced bomber that would fund most of the cutting in education today? Are our priorities in the right place?

What do you think?