LEWISTON – To help save money, beginning Jan. 1, school administrators will go back into classrooms twice a month and substitute when teachers are sick or need to be away from their classes for meetings, Superintendent Leon Levesque said Monday night.

That includes Levesque, who was a classroom teacher 20 years ago. Hiring fewer substitutes will save $45,000, he said.

The move is one way Levesque has proposed to respond to the $544,000 less that Lewiston schools will receive from the state. Cuts are coming because the recession has slowed state tax revenue.

Levesque’s recommendations on addressing the $544,000 shortfall, which was unanimously approved by the School Committee Monday night, also included using $230,000 unspent in the past year; cutting $80,000 in equipment, $40,950 in supplies, $5,000 in field trips, and $4,000 in printing.

Another $9,943 would be saved in fuel costs from conservation steps taken last year; $36,525 in personnel by not replacing someone retiring. Another $15,000 would be cut in lease and purchases. Finally, all remaining contingency money, $77,590, would be used.

Superintendents began hearing last spring that the bad economy could spell cuts. Levesque froze spending “which gives us a cushion of $230,000.” Because that doesn’t cover the cut, other steps were necessary, including the idea of hiring fewer substitutes.

“We’re asking central office staff, principals, assistant principals and various staff to substitute two days a week,” Levesque said.

Administrators still have full-time jobs to do, “but when we look at our budget we’re down to the knuckles. We need to pull together as a team and understand that the contingency account is gone.” What troubles him more is the possibility of more cuts this year, and next year.

If there’s another round of cuts this year, “there’s no way we’ll be able to make cuts without looking at furlough days or a reduction in force.” Levesque said he wants to save as much as he can. “Anything we can save this year is less of a burden on our taxpayers next year.”

If people don’t pitch in, the alternative would be to cut programs, Levesque said. People are volunteering to help, Levesque said. “There’s a sign-up sheet going around. … I’m grateful that folks are coming together on this.”

Help may also come from City Hall, and from citizen volunteers. Levesque said he’s spoken to City Administrator Jim Bennett, who said some of his staff may help.

School Committee members praised Levesque’s proposal. “It’s a thoughtful and humane approach to a serious issue,” said Chairman Tom Shannon. Levesque addressed the deficit but kept “the most important tool, the classroom teacher. I hope the next time we can say the same thing again,” Shannon said.

Member James Handy agreed, saying the plan has “the least impact to students and retains the work force.” Handy asked if there will be some kind of training seminar for new substitutes, especially those outside the education community.

“We’ll put something together,” Levesque said.

Longley Elementary School teacher Steve Gagne, vice president of the Lewiston Education Association, said Levesque is “doing a good job” balancing cuts and protecting teachers who impact students’ learning. “We appreciate that.”

Gagne said he likes the idea of administrators and others substituting. Besides saving money, “they’ll get to see first-hand some of the challenges and the joys of being in the classroom.”