Richmond County Schools decided to go for furlough days instead of saving a little time each day to make up for state budget cuts.

At the beginning of the school year school teachers in the Augusta system were asked to leave school 15 minutes early or arrive 15 minutes late each day. That, officials hoped, would make up for pay cuts equal to five furlough days.

Now school officials say instead of the 15 minutes, teachers will be allowed to stay home two half days and two full days throughout the school year.

Lou Svehla of the Richmond County Board of Education says the board used the 15 minute rule only until the it could decide on a long term solution to the budget cuts.

"There was always a plan in place to give days to teachers," he says. "What was really being waited on was to look at what the final cuts were going to be from the state."

A furlough day for all Richmond County school employees has been scheduled for February 15, 2010.

School officials say layoffs have not been ruled out for the future.

Tags: school, Augusta, furlough, Richmond County Board of Education, teacher, Richmond County schools, Lou Svehla