The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education has approved a 180-day calendar for the next school year, eliminating five days from the 185-day version it had requested earlier.

But in order to fit in all instructional hours required by state law, some elementary school schedules will have to be lengthened by about 15 minutes.

The committee received feedback from teachers saying that they prefer staying with a 180-day calendar, which allows for 14 teacher work days.  Had they approved the 185-day calendar, the school system would have to rely largely on Saturdays to make up for inclement weather days.

The calendar for the current school year includes eight work days and six system training days. Next year, there will be 14 work days and just two system training days.