Legislation, if OK'd, would pave the way for 4-day school week

Local schools could receive more financial freedom in 2009 to deal with more than $300 million in school budget cuts that have occurred statewide.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex has asked lawmakers to temporarily give districts more flexibility with how they use school funds. The state took a similar action in 2001 to help districts deal with mid-year budget cuts.

Rex has said he wants districts to be able to consider different school calendar options and determine locally the best options for fiscal shortfalls.

State Rep. Lanny Littlejohn (RSpartanburg) was among the lawmakers who heard the state superintendent's presentation Tuesday to a House Ways and Means subcommittee.

The state Department of Education started the fiscal year with a $2.4 billion budget. The education department has already undergone $334 million in budget cuts over the past six months.

Littlejohn said another budget cut could occur in February.

With 96 percent of the money going to districts, local schools have been directly impacted by the state's economic downturn this year.

"The State Superintendent of Education is on the right track in being an advocate for school districts to have more funding flexibility," Littlejohn said. "There is a good chance we will take action early in the legislative session on this issue as well as allowing districts to consider a 4-day school week. But I don't know whether this will happen soon enough to help school districts this year."

School districts cannot make any change to the school calendar unless lawmakers suspend the state requirement of a 180-day school year.

Cherokee County is among the school districts awaiting a decision from lawmakers so it can consider the possibility of a 4-day school week. Cherokee County has researched an extended day as a way to shorten the current school year and save money.

In November, district figures showed Cherokee County could save as much as $1 million a year on operating expenses with a 4-day school week.

"We were ready to take a serious look at a 4-day school calendar at Christmas time," said Andy Jones, district assistant superintendent for administrative services. "It would need to pass early this year for us to save enough money to make it worthwhile this school year. We would like to have something in place by early February."