Wrangell Sentinel -

The Juneau school board has approved a series of immediate cost-cutting measures including a hiring freeze, plus exploring the longer-term option of a loan to help deal with an unexpected $9.5 million budget deficit.

Members at the Jan. 16 meeting were also presented with large-scale future cuts to consider, including school consolidations, closing the district during the summer and going to a four-day school week.

Board members, after learning earlier this month about the substantial deficit for the fiscal year ending June 30, asked Schools Superintendent Frank Hauser to present a list to con...