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Hillsborough To Save $1.8 Million With 4-Day Summer Weeks

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 10, 2008

TAMPA - As a way to save money, the Hillsborough County School Board voted Tuesday to cut the summer workweek for all employees to four days.

District leaders say they can save $1.8 million by having employees work 10-hour days and shortening the week by a day on which all school buildings will be closed.

The savings are part of a plan to plug what may be a $55 million budget shortfall. The district must cut at least $26 million this fiscal year, but it might have to cut $28.9 million more if Florida's governor and Legislature don't come up with more money for education.

Hillsborough school officials already have cut travel, supplies and vacant jobs as state revenue estimates have grown worse than anticipated.

By shutting summer school and other buildings one day a week in the summer, the Hillsborough district would save on electricity ($750,000), transportation ($441,000) and food ($654,000).

School board members earlier had concerns that a one-day-a-week closure would force parents who rely on summer day care in schools to find other options. About 3,000 students participate annually in Hillsborough Out-of-School-Time, a day care program in 137 schools.

Deputy Superintendent of Schools Ken Otero said the district is working with the parks and recreation departments in Tampa and the county as well as with the YMCA to care for the children during the days schools are closed.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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