Students hopped on the school bus today due to a contract issued last May.    Colorado budget cuts over the past few years forced 5 furlough days to be added to the academic calendar.  Last year, two days were added to calendar. Today is the only one of those days District 51 added back which gives staffers one more paid workday.

District 51 spokesperson Kristy McGee says several factors determine how the school board can add days back.  "It always depends on where the money is, where the funding is, what kind of requirements we get as to where we can add time back in".

McGee also said that a few students and parents called in with some questions about the school day, but they haven't encountered any major issues. Some residents were mainly confused because there were different versions of the calendar online. However,  unexcused absents are allowed no special treatment. Teachers have been notifying their classrooms last week.

She says today is just like any other day and the only difference kids might notice, is some teachers may have added some president's day activities into their normal lesson plans.

The board will meet tomorrow night to adopt a new calendar with even bigger changes for this upcoming fall. It should be available to the public by Wednesday. Even after it is available, parents and students are still encouraged to keep checking their school's website if there is an updated calendar. The board often changes dates near the last few  months of the academic year if they need to make up missed days.