The Polk School District Board of Education has approved the district-wide change to a 160-day school year beginning in August, which would lengthen instruction time by an hour each day and add an eighth period for high-schoolers.

Budget reasons were cited by officials as the reason, noting the option was the best compromise for keeping jobs, saving money and maintaining quality of education.

Polk School District’s current budget is $61 million with 86 percent marked for payroll. Directors estimate more than $200,000 in savings by implementing the new schedule compared to the current 180-day calendar.

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