Folsom Cordova Unified School District is considering shaving a class period off the school day for high school juniors and seniors to help shore up a $10.6 million budget deficit projected for next year.
Last month, the Natomas Unified School District board voted to cut five school days from the year and to shorten the school day for juniors and seniors who are not behind in credits.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opened the door in February for districts to shorten school days and years when he reduced the required length of the school year by five days.
Parents who grumbled about larger classes, shortened library hours and fewer bus routes during earlier rounds of school budget cuts now are more worried that their children are being shortchanged academically.
Helen Broqua is considering moving her daughter from Folsom High School to another school to ensure she has access to classes that will make her attractive to a good college. She said she's afraid the district will eliminate upper level foreign language classes, making it more difficult for students to get into the University of California.
"If you want to get into an Ivy League or military academy, if these electives aren't offered it will make their path very difficult," Broqua said.
If the school day is cut for upperclassmen in Folsom Cordova, they only will be allowed to take five periods.
"Folsom Cordova Unified School District budget reductions for 2010-11 school year will likely necessitate that all junior and senior high school students who are on track for graduation take a mandatory five-period schedule of courses (instead of a regular six-period schedule)," reads part of an online student survey for Folsom Cordova high school students.
The survey asked students to indicate the classes they plan to take next year, so the district can determine which classes will be offered.
Folsom Cordova Superintendent Patrick Godwin said shortening the school day for juniors and seniors is just one of several options the district is looking at to balance its budget.
"The survey could have been worded better," Godwin said. "We would consider a lot of other things first."
District officials also are considering closing two schools, reducing library services, laying off counselors, increasing class sizes and shortening the school year.
"Everything is on the table this year," said Stephen Nichols, district spokesman. "We've got no sacred or golden cows this year."
He said the district is hoping to get concessions from employee groups to avoid layoffs.
If the district decides to shorten the days of juniors and seniors, Godwin said, it will likely offer online courses or other options.
Folsom Cordova trustees are expected to make a final decision on closing schools next week, but have no timeline on other budget cuts.
"I don't anticipate making a recommendation to the board until late in the spring," Godwin said of the proposal to shorten the school day.
Call The Bee's Diana Lambert, (916) 321-1090.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.