The Johnston County Board of Education on Thursday said it might delay the opening of two new high schools until 2011. The move would save $2.6 million in the year ahead.

The two high schools, Cleveland and Corinth-Holders, are supposed to be ready for students in August 2010. In advance of their openings, the board had planned to spend $2.6 million on supplies, equipment, athletic uniforms and personnel, spokeswoman Terri Sessoms noted in a news release.

The $2.6 million is included in the $57.2 million the schools are seeking from the county for fiscal 2009-10. County Manager Rick Hester, meanwhile, has recommended $52.5 million. County Commissioners have said they hope to give the schools at least $55.2 million, which is what they got this year.

On Thursday, the school board had planned to name principals for Smithfield Middle and North Johnston high schools, whose principals are headed to Cleveland and Corinth-Holders high schools, respectively. After talking about delaying the new schools, the board put off the hiring decisions.