Most students at Centre USD 397 were ecstatic to learn that May 15 will be the final day of the 2008-09 school year for them.

The board of education made the decision to revise the calendar Thursday in a special meeting.

Several reasons were given for the surprising action: 1) To reward staff and students for excellent results on preliminary testing; 2) To save approximately $1,000-1,500 a day for four days in transportation and food service; and 3) to provide extra money to be transferred to the 2009-10 school year.

The week of May 18 will be used for teacher/staff training and development, requiring less in-service days during the next school year.

School events scheduled for that week will go on as planned, including the K-6 field day May 19 and junior high promotion and awards May 20.