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The budget now goes to the Town Council, which will finalize a townwide budget proposal for 2009-10 before a referendum in May.

The proposed budget represents an increase of almost $1.5 million, or 2.47 percent, over this year. But the increase would have been much greater if not for the position cuts, which would impact staff throughout Windsor public schools.

As recommended by Superintendent Elizabeth E. Feser last month, the budget sees the elimination of 10.4 teaching positions and 23 paraprofessionals.

Two administrators would be laid off, along with 4.2 other noncertified staff, including a secretary, security guard, residency officer, custodian, and an intern.

The staff reductions would save more than $1.6 million. Salaries and benefits account for about 78 percent of the overall proposed budget.

Further reductions are proposed that would cut another $148,000, including the high school site budget for items such as supplies and equipment, a bus run, late bus run, and maintenance.

In response to the cuts, the budget would add almost $60,000 worth of tutors, $75,000 toward its alternative high school credit earning, $25,000 for reading intervention, and $50,000 for an instructional data manager.

School board President Milo "Rusty" Peck explained that in order for Windsor to maintain its level of service, the increase would have been 4.9 percent.

Spending increased in benefits, magnet school costs, supplies, professional development, transportation, special education, and utilities.

As a result, the board had to turn to salaries to make the cuts. But while difficult, Peck said, members of the board's finance committee believe the budget protects the integrity of the classroom and programs, while enabling achievement and allowing for cost containment.

Still, the budget left Peck with concerns. School system needs, such as more early childhood education and other programming to help students achieve, aren't able to be met in the economy.

"This is a realistic budget for the times," Peck said. "Is it something to be proud of? No."

But, Peck warned, the budget is likely to diminish should Windsor residents vote it down by referendum.

Finance committee member Paul Panos said he had reservations over where some of the cuts came from, notably since only two administrator positions were cut in comparison to the high number of paraprofessionals.

But Panos said he supported the budget, calling it a reasonable increase.

School board Vice President Christopher Watts also supported the budget proposal, saying he felt fortunate to be a resident of Windsor instead of other towns facing more dire financial problems.

Watts said that the cuts weren't as drastic as other towns are facing and called the budget responsible.

Board minority leader Howard Jubrey said he voted against last year's budget proposal, but supported the one approved Tuesday.

Jubrey complimented Feser for keeping the increase low. He said the student population is declining, but still there are some significant savings offered in the budget proposal.

At the start of the 2008-09 school year, Windsor had a student population of 4,437 students, including those attending magnet and other schools out of town. According to Feser, the student population is expected to decrease by 80 students next year.

Still, Jubrey said, "Real people are affected here, and that's the hard part of all of this."

Voting was nearly unanimous, with member Patricia DiGiore voting against forwarding the budget to the council.

DiGiore said the board could have explored eliminating more administrators instead of teachers, in turn directly affecting students.