The Legislature will convene for a special session on November 28 to address the looming $2 billion budget shortfall. Earlier this week, Governor Gregoire announced her 2012 supplemental budget proposal that included both spending cuts and new revenue options. One of the options being discussed is cutting the school year from 180 days to 176 days. Reducing the school year could save the state nearly $100 million.
Below is an excerpt from a recent Everett Herald article that outlines the proposal in more detail.
Superintendents in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties first pushed the idea of cutting the school year by five days. Gov. Chris Gregoire initially balked, but this week changed her mind and now supports reducing the school year by four days. Still, she wants to avoid that and other cuts by increasing the sales tax statewide by a half-cent.
Schools could save money on shorter school years by keeping buildings open fewer hours, paying less for transportation and possibly paying teachers less. Gregoire estimates that shortening the school year could save the state $99 million, a portion of the $500 million she expects to cut from education.
Click here to read the entire article.