Reynolds school directors still don't have an operating budget for 2002-03, but Wednesday they made several cuts to help offset a $2 million deficit discovered last month.

The board also continued to hear concerns about the potential raising of taxes, the furloughing of teachers and the retention of what some feel are too many administrators.

Although school district budgets are due by June 30, there are no ramifications for a district that does not turn in a budget by that time, as long as the district does not spend any money in the new fiscal year until a budget is approved, a spokeswoman from the state Department of Education said Wednesday.

Last month, the preliminary budget reflected a 12.5 mill, or 28 percent, tax increase. Last week, Superintendent Dr. Anthony Trosan said he believed the millage could be taken down to 7 mills, and on Monday said the millage could potentially be lower than that.

But through the findings of Keystone Research, Inc., appointed by the court to do a review for the district, the district had three millage calculations. The first was $76,000, the second $73,000 and the third $69,000. Trosan said Keystone Research recommends the district use the lowest calculation when projecting revenue, which is the reason why millage has jumped back up to 12 mills.

Taxpayers are not taking the potential tax increase lightly.

"I can't afford any more taxes. I get a little bit of Social Security and that's all I have," said resident Dorothy Fye. "I'm liable to have to give up my home ... I'm worried how long I'm going to be able to keep my home my husband and I worked so hard for."

West Salem Township resident Bernice Julian has gathered more than 900 signatures on a petition opposing the tax increase.

In another attempt to offset the deficit, school directors eliminated the director of curriculum and curriculum cluster chairpersons, the golf program, coaching positions from nearly every sport and many extra-curricular activity advisers. The district will retain the cross country team, with one fewer coach, and students who want to play golf may still be able to and meet state athletic requirements, Trosan said.

The board also considered eliminating kindergarten camp, already reduced from five days to three, but only Elizabeth Schuffert voted to eliminate it, explaining she felt the district could not afford the $7,000 program.

Teacher furloughs were not part of Wednesday's agenda, although a dozen jobs are on the line.

Trosan said the teachers' union has delayed the announcement of the furloughs. He said the union was asked to realign teachers according to seniority and has until July 8 to respond, after which the board will send notes to inform furloughed employees.

Union President Leesa Caputo said she is going to set up a meeting with the Pennsylvania State Education Association to check that the correct positions are furloughed.

Ms. Caputo said she wants the public to know that a school board can only legally furlough teachers if enrollment declines. She also said teachers would consider a wage freeze if the board would consider furloughing administrators.

"We feel we're paying in other ways," she said, pointing out the elimination of coaches and the curriculum committees.

Administration continued to be a hot topic, as several residents questioned the board as to why there are four principals for only two buildings when teaching jobs are on the line.

Director Maddox Stokes, former superintendent, said when the district had only one principal in each building it was, "Not good." Even three principals for two buildings were not acceptable, he said.

"There are plenty for the principals to do," he said, but added the board will re-examine administration.

The board is expected to vote on the final budget at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the large group instruction room at the high school.