Benicia Unified School District

The last day of school, Friday, June 3^rd is quickly approaching.  You may wonder why school is ending earlier than usual this year.  Last spring in an effort to save funding for our schools, every teacher, classified employee, and administrator generously agreed to reduce their number of work days by three furlough days. The reduced work year resulted in 177 instructional days for students instead of the usual 180 days and as a result school is ending earlier than usual.  Each unpaid work day saved the district’s general fund $137,000.  The total savings of $411,000 helped maintain valuable programs and services for your children for this year.  We all regret that districts throughout California are no longer receiving adequate state funding and that we are forced to make difficult decisions like shortening the school year. No one wants less instructional time for our students.  I want the public to be aware that the reduced year resulted in reduced income for every employee and this sacrifice was made on behalf of Benicia’s students.