Murray County students might be sticking to the school system's 160-day calendar if school board members agree at tonight's meeting.
Schools Superintendent Vickie Reed said the calendar, which means less use of buildings and utilities, saved about $500,000 in its first year. She expects board members will want to keep the arrangement in place.
Murray adopted the 160-day calendar last year to counter a $5 million state funding cut that sliced the schools' budget for this year to $55 million.
The shorter-year, longer-day calendar has drawn interest from other money-strapped school systems, "especially since the last announcement from Gov. (Sonny) Perdue in reference to the three-day additional furlough with the 3 percent cut," Ms. Reed said.
But Murray officials won't know whether the abbreviated calendar harmed academic results until this year's test results are in. Murray students spend about 1,133 hours in class each year, exceeding the state minimum of 990 hours.
She said "the tell-all story" will be results of Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Tests, which are expected in June or July.
Officials said most parents like the calendar, although some have complained about the long days for young children.
School board member Becky Whaley predicted another 160-day school year would be approved "because it's been very popular with the teachers and the parents."
SCHOOL HOURS UNDER 160-DAY CALENDAR7:20-7:30 a.m. -- All schools begin classes.3:05-3:15 p.m. -- Gladden Middle and high schools dismiss.3:10-3:15 p.m. -- Elementary schools dismiss.3:20 p.m. -- Bagley Middle School dismisses.
Murray County parent Casey Adams said the calendar "works for me just fine."
"I like the extended summer for the kids," said Mrs. Adams, whose four children are split between Murray schools and a private school.
Before the 160-day calendar, summer break started in late May or June and students went back in August. Now, school ends for the summer in late May or June and resumes in early September.
She said some parents have had problems with after-school care, but she gets help from family members to cope with her children's varied schedules.