If Gov. Linda Lingle didn't have such a long history of trying to dismantle the Department of Education, her latest move might not seem so punitive. But when it comes to the public school system, everyone knows Lingle is pretty much a hater.

The press release from the governor's office makes it sound like such a triumph: "Plan addresses fiscal challenges without layoffs or tax increases, while focusing on the future."

Kind of buried in the governor's version of events is that state workers will be asked to take cuts to wages and benefits, and, oh, by the way, a chunk of that federal stimulus money coming down for the public schools is going instead to balance the state budget.

Pay cuts and concessions in benefits are tough, but better than layoffs for both the workers and the public they serve. Those unhappy losses in compensation are fairly common in these terrible days of strife, but most people would rather get paid less for a job than have no job at all. It is a more bearable pain.

But taking federal rescue money meant for public schools? Ouch, that's cold.

Public schools and the University of Hawai'i were to receive $157 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The DOE is facing $86 million in budget cuts. Lingle is taking the federal funds, as if to say: "Oh no you don't. You're still taking the full hit."

Lingle's biggest show of bravado has always been taking on the public school establishment. She has made it a point to not be impressed with the political power of the Department of Education. Remember when Mazie Hirono was out there delivering doughnuts to striking teachers on the 2001 picket line (timed to coincide with press photographers, of course)? She knew what an endorsement from the HSTA means at the voting booth — as good as the thumbs-up from SHOPO. But not Lingle. You don't see her regularly reading to keiki in school cafeterias or dropping by a school's May Day pageant. Of course, she's right about the shortcomings of the public school system, but it seems like she doesn't want to fix the schools but would rather shut them all down.

In times like this, leaders have to make, as the phrase goes, difficult and unpopular decisions. Taking this money away from the intended purpose of helping public schools may be an unpopular decision for Lingle, but difficult? Oh, it was probably even a little bit satisfying.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.