The budget for his program is $5.6 million this year, out of a district budget of $3.2 billion.

These local boards have the power to approve and allocate district budgets, which average $50 million.

The district budget also supports the library, street lighting, the private beach, parkland and some other services, including garbage collection.

Administrators found the move created $100,000 in annual savings, comprising one-tenth of the district budget.

(The program is scheduled to be cut from the district budget next year, teachers said.)

The district budget in 2005 was over $57,000,000.

If a reduced $37 million school district budget is not approved on Thursday, students may find programs eliminated and class sizes increased.

The district budget was $39,877,245 with a millage rate of 20.95 for the 2011-12 school year.

School officials rank second with their "don't ask, don't tell" policy, all in the hope of increasing their student count and district budgets.

Besides hiring, boards have lost control over district budgets, curriculum and textbooks.