5-day school furloughs approved for Utah schools

SALT LAKE CITY — Districts across the state will have the option of cutting five days from next year's school calendar to save money, the State Board of Education decided Friday.

"It's a budgetary measure in difficult times," said State Deputy Superintendent Martell Menlove.

Board members agreed they don't want to see school canceled but acknowledged these are tough times for education statewide. This is the second year the board is allowing districts to have a furlough — with a few minor changes. A furlough is time off work with no pay for an employee so their employers save money.

District leaders, such as Murray School District's business administrator Tim Leffel, applauded the budget-saving option, saying it would help prevent more drastic cost-cutting measures such as layoffs.

"The state board made the right decision. It provides flexibility for school districts. Whether it's used or not, it's very positive and supports the local districts," Leffel told the Deseret News Friday.

Davis School District spokesman Chris Williams said, "I think the state board is keenly aware of the difficult challenges each district is facing, and is trying to do its best to give districts a little flexibility as they tackle these budget challenges."

At least one board member pointed out that schools in other countries require many more instructional hours per year than Utah does and allowing districts to cut school days seems the reverse of how things should be. Board member Janet Cannon agreed, but pointed out the idea is to "offset budgeting problems."

Not all districts will use the option.

There are also a few new aspects to this year's furlough allowance.

 District administrative offices will be required to be closed if district schools are closed for a furlough day.

 The furlough option won't require districts to ax professional development days before cutting instruction days, as was the case this school year. Professional development days are when classes aren't in session and teachers can use the time for activities including training, grading and holding collaborative meetings.

"Many of those days have been cut and never restored," Cannon said. "They just aren't available to be cut anymore."

Districts are encouraged to choose the furlough days wisely, making the time off the least disruptive for student learning. For example, during a week when school is already out three days for a holiday, taking the other two days off would be a good choice, unless testing is scheduled.