Clayton schools may shorten year to save money

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By Tammy Joyner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Students in Clayton County Public Schools could have a shorter school year but spend more time in class next year under a cost-cutting measure presented by the school superintendent this week.

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Superintendent Edmond Heatley says the school district may have to trim 37 days from the school year and make the school day two hours longer to help offset a $49 million deficit anticipated over the next two years.

John Spink, jspink@ajc.com Superintendent Edmond Heatley says the school district may have to trim 37 days from the school year and make the school day two hours longer to help offset a $49 million deficit anticipated over the next two years.

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Superintendent Edmond Heatley told the school board at its work session Monday night that the school district may have to trim 37 days from the school year and make the school day two hours longer to help offset a $49 million deficit anticipated over the next two years. At Monday's meeting, Heatley introduced a number of cost-cutting measures that would shave about $75.1 million from the school budget through the 2012-2013 school year.

"These are just options. There's nothing etched in stone," Clayton Schools spokesman Charles L. White said Tuesday. "It's just a proposal on the table to try to cut expenditures for the schools."

Heatley's recommendation is the first of many expected to be considered through June when the school board is expected to make final decisions on the school budget. As many as 14 different school year calendars have been assembled for consideration. The board will continue to talk about the budget-cutting options at its work retreat Saturday.

Since his arrival in 2009, Heatley has focused on being more fiscally-responsible. He has identified $80 million in cuts through fiscal year 2012. Of that, about $45 million in cuts were made to the 2010-2011 school year budget "and we're going back to the board for more cuts," White said. To view the superintendent's report and recommendations, go to www.clayton.k12.ga.us.