Suggestion to cut length of school year gaining grudging support

It's an idea that's gaining traction: shortening the 180-day school year to save the state money.

Superintendents in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties first pushed the idea of cutting the school year by five days. Gov. Chris Gregoire initially balked, but this week changed her mind and now supports reducing the school year by four days. Still, she wants to avoid that and other cuts by increasing the sales tax statewide by a half-cent.