FARMINGTON -- Five teachers will lose their positions as a result of cuts under the proposed School Administrative District 9 budget, SAD 9 directors were told Tuesday night.

In addition, there are several people in nonteaching jobs, including seven in maintenance and transportation, who are being terminated, according to Assistant Superintendent Susan Pratt.

Pratt's report was in response to requests from the board for specifics on how many individuals not retiring or resigning will actually be affected by the cutbacks.

SAD 9's proposed spending plan of just under $24 million for 2008-09, while slightly higher than the current budget, includes the elimination of several staff positions. Administrators recommended the reductions in the face of the loss of state revenue and lack of money to carry over from balance.

Pratt said laying off teachers involves an elaborate process of 13 steps.

"In our letters to them we encourage them to look for any openings that might come up in SAD 9," Pratt said.

Of the five teachers being cut, at least two are part-time. For the next school year, one fulltime teacher and one half-time teacher will be on sabbatical, but Pratt did not say if any of those being cut could fit into one of those jobs.

Openings exist for a high school math teacher, for two guidance jobs, and a full or part-time music education position, Pratt said.

In action by the board at the half-hour meeting, a second year of probationary contracts were approved for nine first-year teachers, as were continuing contracts for eight others who had completed the standard two years of probation contracts.

Pratt reminded the board of the district budget meeting Thursday, May 22, at the Mt. Blue High School gym starting at 7 p.m.

The meeting will include a total of 12 warrant items. Directors chose to use the "closed" format, which means voters will have the option of reducing, but not increasing, any money articles.

A follow-up single-question referendum by secret ballot in the individual towns to ratify the May 22 action will be held Wednesday, May 28.