SEYMOUR — Elimination of eight proposed or current positions and spending more for gas and heating oil were among the changes made by the Board of Education to reach the $29.117 million budget figure approved by voters.

School board members voted8-1 during Monday's meeting to remove $963,000 to satisfy the 2008-09 budget figure that passed at the polls two weeks ago by one vote. Though the school board had approved more than $30.044 million earlier this year, the proposal was reduced before being submitted for a referendum vote. James Garofalo was the only board member to vote against the adjustments.

The cuts included not hiring new teachers for kindergarten at Bungay Elementary School or a part-time Spanish teacher. It also included not filling a middle school technical education teacher's spot, a high school machinist position and elimination of the freshman sports program at Seymour High School; and not replacing teachers at Chatfield Elementary School and a resigning Seymour High math teacher. The adjustments also included adding money to account for anticipated cost increases. The district added $8,200 for bus fuel based on a $3.10 per gallon price and $57,000 for heating oil at the schools.

Supt. of Schools Maryanne Mascolo said she's worried about recent cutbacks of possible positions and how they might affect the district's service. Mascolo said the district has lost about 18 positions over the last five years. "My concern is the trend we're seeing,"

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she said.

Board Chairman Bruce Baker said he's relieved that the budget is finalized, but he is frustrated with the losses the district is seeing. While things may be financially difficult, Baker said losing more staff and programming could hurt the schools in the long run. If this continues, "the school system will start going backwards," he said.