Haralson County Public Schools students could see longer days and shorter weeks if the school board approves an alternative calendar that system officials deem a cost-saving measure.

In the regular school board meeting Monday, board members participated in an hour-long discussion about changing the calendar, which could include a four-day week and extended work days for students and teachers. The board heard a presentation from Peach County Schools officials, who informed how their four-day week has helped them conserve funding so far.

Haralson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brett Stanton recently sent a letter to faculty and staff stating the board’s bases for the proposed change.

“Due to ongoing budget issues, it is important for our school system to look at alternative yearly calendars that can save our school system additional funds. We want to salvage jobs, maintain programs and avoid a millage increase for the citizens of Haralson County,” he stated. “Our most important desire and responsibility is to provide a quality education to students attending our school.”

The board will hear from Murray County Schools at a called meeting next Monday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. to discuss their 160-day calendar, which calls for lengthier work days. Stanton stressed that the board is merely reviewing the alternative calendar at this time and that no decision has been made.

Since last school year, school officials have enforced several changes to balance their books and reduce spending. Stanton also highlighted those efforts: “Thankfully, we have made progress in decreasing the financial deficit for our school,” he said. “This progress has come with difficult decisions, including millage increases, furloughs for classified employees and voluntary donations from certified employees. At some point, we have to put our school system in a position to end the year with a surplus of funds as opposed to a deficit fund balance.”

In other business, the board adopted a new meetings calendar, this time reflecting changes to the school board work sessions and meetings. Starting in February, regular monthly work sessions will be held the first Monday of every month. Regular meetings are now scheduled for the Thursday following the work session.

The board resumed talks about looking at tax cuts for seniors to exempt them from paying school taxes; however, Haralson County Schools Public Information Officer Kersha Cartwright said the possibility looks bleak.

“It’s estimated that it would be approximately a mill (to put forth the exemption) that would have to be made up or removed from somewhere else. After much discussion, the board decided to table that issue until budget time,” Cartwright said. “(In order to establish the exemption) The board would have to write a resolution, get it voted on and passed by the state House and Senate, then Haralson County constituents would have to pass it by way of vote.”

The board did approve another item on the agenda, appointing Richard Davis to continue serving as chairman. Board member Joe Griffith was elected as vice chairman.

Stanton detoured the business component of the meeting to recognize Linda Pike, who received the APPLE Award for paraprofessionals this month. The honor was based on Pike’s diligent service at Haralson County High School.

The next Haralson County school board meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 4, at the district office in Tallapoosa.