Fewer furlough days for teachers

All county school employees will take one less furlough day than planned this year, a boon made possible by surprise surpluses left over from last year's budget.

In a 9-0 vote, the county Board of Education yesterday unanimously approved the decision a day after meeting with union representatives who balked when they saw the account balances climb. Last year, all employees were told to take days off without pay to help the school system cope with a funding shortfall.

Now, teachers will be furloughed for two days instead of three, secretaries and custodians for one day instead of two, and principals and executive staff for...