BETHEL — The budget development process for SAD 44 is nearing completion, with a proposed figure expected in late April or early May.

Superintendent David Murphy said it’s still too early to comment on how the 2012-13 budget will compare with the current year’s figure of $9.7 million, but some job reductions may be among the cost-cutting measures.

Among the positions to be considered are those funded by the federal jobs bill: two half-time secretaries, one full-time maintenance person, one full-time custodian, and the equivalent of one-and-a-half teachers.

The federal money for those positions expires this year, Murphy said.

In other matters, the board Monday approved a first reading of a proposed policy that would grant Telstar High School diplomas to veterans of World Ward II, Korea and Vietnam.

Those eligible would have had to leave school to join the military, and have been a resident of the SAD 44 area at the time they left school, or those who now reside in the Bethel area.

Murphy said the addition of honoring Vietnam veterans this way is new to the state and school district.

“Once the policy is approved, we’ll put the word out,” Murphy said.

The second reading of the policy and action is expected at the April 23 meeting.

Also on Monday, the board accepted a donation from local business Clean Cut Painting to repaint the district’s bus garage. The district will pay up to $1,000 for materials, but all work will be done by the business.