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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- It's another three-day weekend in a row for everyone in the Canyons district, but it's not necessarily a happy day off.
"The district office is closed. Everyone is taking this cut from the superintendent down to the custodial staff," says Canyons Education Association President Tony Romanello.
Romanello says the teachers' union agreed to it because another option included laying off 47 people and they didn't want to see anyone lose their jobs.
"For me, am I happy to lose a day's pay? No. Can I survive losing a day's pay so that someone doesn't have to lose their job? Yes," he says.
Romanello says there is still a chance that federal stimulus dollars would mean canceling the other furlough days this year, but he's not sure that will happen.
The other days are scheduled for Nov. 22, Nov. 23, Feb. 14 and March 18. The Canyons board hoped that would mean the fewest disruptions to students.
The district had a shortfall of $13 million. The state board of education allowed districts to use furlough days this year. It's estimated that this move will save Canyons $3.5 million. The Davis district also opted to take two furlough days this year; those will be in February.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
