LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The Lafayette Parish School Board has voted to give principals and other supervisors authority to make some hiring decisions that have been left in limbo for the past few weeks, although the school system is still facing job cuts.

The Advocate reports the board voted Tuesday to save 17 social worker and 37 instructional strategist jobs that were on the chopping block to balance what remains as a more than $7 million budget shortfall. Employees report to school on Aug. 5 — a week ahead of students' return Aug. 12.

Matt Dugas, finance director, said after the meeting the full impact of the board's decision Tuesday had not yet been calculated, but prior to the vote, the board chipped its $7.3 million shortfall down to $7.2 million.

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