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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah school districts again have been given the option to slash as many as five school days next year to cope with tight budgets.
District officials praised the State Board of Education's action Friday, saying they appreciate the flexibility to deal with budget shortfalls.
Tim Leffel, business administrator of the Murray School District, said it would help prevent more drastic cost-cutting measures, such as layoffs.
"Whether it's used or not, it's very positive and supports the local districts," Leffel told the Deseret News.
Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said the option is one way for his district to ease an expected $10 million shortfall next school year. Granite cut two instructional days this school year.
"At this point we're open and excited about having the flexibility to do something like that," Horsley told the Salt Lake Tribune.
The board also allowed districts to cut as many as five instructional days this school year to deal with budget cuts. Five charter schools and eight school districts -- Granite, Murray, Duchesne, Garfield, Grand, Juab, Millard and San Juan -- cut some or all of those days.
Board member Douglas Holmes said schools in other countries require more instructional days than the U.S. He thinks it's wrong for Utah to cut school days.
Board member Janet Cannon shared his concerns, but said the action was needed to "offset budgeting problems."
The board approved the option at the urging of the Utah School Superintendents Association.
District school boards must make decisions to cut instructional days in public meetings, and must give parents a chance to comment.
Also, administrative offices must be closed when instructional days are cut, and employees will not be paid for those days.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
