http://66.225.205.104/SO20090617.mp3
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has started its summer hours this week. The four-day work week is meant to save the district more that $280,000. WFAE's Simone Orendain has more: Most CMS facilities will be closed on Fridays through August 14th. This schedule also applies to summer school. CMS police service will continue on a 24-7 schedule and some summer food programs for low income children will be on a shortened schedule. CMS Chief Operating Officer Hugh Hattabaugh says this will cut costs on air conditioning, hot water heating and other utilities. "Utility savings is where it comes from, not in saving hourly rates. As a matter of fact, I would say, most people work more than 10 hour days. We'll have to take our laptops home and so forth, to answer and deal with issues," he says. CMS is dealing with a potential $120 million shortfall in its budget for next school year. The district has already started to eliminate close to 1,300 workers. District officials will present additional cuts at a school board work session scheduled next week.