JAY – More than 100 people showed up Tuesday to hear school administrators propose a $9.92 million budget, which is about $1 million less than this year’s budget.

Among proposed cuts for 2009-10 are 15 full-time teaching positions, six education technicians and a secretary, eliminating skiing and tennis, reducing overtime, reconfiguring electives at the high school, and reducing supply and equipment budgets.

Other moves to offset revenue losses include an approved single bus run and proposals to move grade four to the middle school, reduce the technology administrative budget, reallocate staff to meet class load guidelines, reduce energy costs, restrict travel and professional development.

It was the first time the school and budget committees had a chance to review the proposal.

All of the proposed reductions are only possibilities until the state produces anticipated revenue figures for Jay and the School Committee makes a final decision on what to present to voters in April.

A second budget meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, again at the high school library. Superintendent Robert Wall said he is hoping he’ll have the state revenue figures by then. A vote on warrant articles will not be held until March 26.

A $107 million increase in the town’s valuation, a $215,199 penalty for not consolidating, a declining student population and other factors have resulted in the revenue loss.

People in the audience spoke against the reductions and made proposals of their own to offset the loss but save positions.

Jay High School junior Jordan DeMillo said he felt the cuts were getting too close to the kids.

There are a lot of teachers, he said, who have taught him lifelong lessons and respect for others.

He asked the committees to look at other places to make reductions besides teachers.

He suggested evaluating going to a four-day school week and teachers offering to take cuts to just keep the teachers such as what was done at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

“I really don’t want to lose these teachers,” DeMillo said.

His mother, former School Committee member Tanya DeMillo, urged people to contact legislators to tell them how they feel about the state’s education funding.

“This state is really putting the kibosh on education,” she said.

She suggested that if teachers don’t have the passion for teaching anymore, they should think about stepping aside to let those who give 100 percent to teach.

Selectman Steve Barker suggested that they look at salaries and having three principals overseeing three schools in close proximity. He wished the committees good luck in the budget process.

“If we lose 21 staff positions each one of our schools are going to suffer,” Jay Education Association President Mike Henry said, “while administration and central office are not feeling any loss.”

He suggested there be cuts there as well.

Among the audience suggestions for cuts were:

• Have two schools instead of three with grades kindergarten through six at the middle school and grades seven through 12 at the high school.

• Reduce superintendent’s position to half time, sharing a superintendent, have the superintendent also take on business manager and transportation positions.

• Go to voters with a higher budget than presented and let them decide.

• Have town government make cuts.

• Offer early retirement incentives.

• Pay for sports play.

• Make cuts in every sport to save tennis and skiing.