From implementing a four-day workweek to minimizing the use of facilities, area school systems are looking for ways to cut costs over the summer.

“We are always looking to save money, but still be able to do the job completely,” Walker County school board member Mike Carruth said.

To cut energy and operational costs, Walker County administrators and central office staff will work 40 hours in four days for a portion of the summer.

“A four-day workweek is a logical step to take during the summer months,” Walker County Schools Superintendent Melissa Mathis said in a statement. “Concentrating operational hours to save energy during peak usage months is one of many steps we are taking to reduce overall costs and save money in this difficult economic time.”

Director of Administrative Services Chris Jones said the move will save the district as much as $50,000.

All year, school systems have been under pressure to cut costs as the state’s budget deficit has climbed to about $2.8 billion.

For the third year in a row, Catoosa County School employees will work a four-day work week and Dade County will do the same for the month of June.

Dalton City Schools also have moved to working four 10-hour days, with the central office closed on Fridays.

“We combine activities in as few buildings as possible,” school system spokeswoman Deana Farmer said in an e-mail.

Whitfield County Schools have closed all elementary and middle school buildings for the summer, which could save the system about $58,000, spokesman Eric Beavers said.

“There is no reason to cool a building that one or two people are in,” he said. “We are asking those two people to move to another building to work.”

School officials said benefits to the environment are a bonus to the cost savings.

“We support the parents and the schools as needed, but we also want to be green the best we can,” Mr. Carruth said.