AUGUSTA -- Slightly more than half of the $79.8 million in cutbacks Gov. John Baldacci plans for state government this fiscal year target education-related programs.

The cuts range from $27 million subtracted from aid to local school districts to $8.4 million the University of Maine System will have to do without.

While Baldacci's curtailment order directly leads to just four state government agency layoffs, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron told reporters Wednesday school districts might have to make layoffs on the local level.

"My advice to school systems is: You need to begin planning now," Gendron said.

School districts will receive notice Friday of the exact size of cuts they will have to make.

"I think every superintendent...will do everything they can to protect children's education," Gendron told reporters.

Schools might thin their ranks of substitute teachers, she said, and ask other school employees to fill in when teachers are not in the classroom. Students could also find their bus routes change as districts attempt to reduce the number of buses on the road.

And as schools cut back, students might leave the classroom less often.

"Will field trips continue?" Gendron said. "Probably not."

But, she said, teachers will do what they can to deliver the same opportunities to students in different ways.

The state's seven-campus university system was bracing for $10.6 million in cuts this fiscal year. In the end, the governor asked the system for $8.4 million in cutbacks.

According to budget documents, the system will likely rely on reserve accounts and cut back on campus security, student employment, scholarships and food services.

"We appreciate that, in these enormously difficult financial times, Gov. Baldacci clearly recognizes the essential role that Maine's public universities must play in Maine's economic recovery," University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said in a statement.

The smaller curtailment will help the system avoid eliminating class offerings, according to the statement.

Each of the system's seven campuses has begun discussions about how to make the required cuts. In addition, the system's Bangor offices and campuses instituted cost-cutting measures in October to prepare for the curtailment order.

At Maine's community colleges, a $2.9 million cut will force the system to lay off 12 employees, eliminate funding for some scholarships and delay building improvement projects. The college, however, will not suspend academic programs, according to budget documents.

The Legislature's Republican leaders, in a statement, suggested they might propose alternatives to Baldacci's suggested reductions, especially those meant for education.

But in an interview Wednesday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye, R-Perry, said it was too early to know what those alternatives might be.

"We want to also inject our own thoughtful review into the process," said Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye, R-Perry. "And I'm hopeful that in the area of education, that we may be able to suggest some alternative that will help ease the burden."

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com