The Burlington-Edison School Board got an idea last week how the district hopes to slash more than $800,000 out of next school year’s budget.

Jeff Drayer, the district’s director of assessment and human resources, shared with the board a preliminary draft of proposed budget reductions, which includes more than 20 items and programs.

Declining enrollment, paired with increasing operations costs and employee salaries, are the main reason for the cuts, according to the draft memo.

“It’s never fun and it’s always painful,” said outgoing Superintendent Rick Jones at his final meeting. “It’s really unfortunate that we find ourselves in this position.”

More than a quarter of the cutbacks ($246,000) could come from down-sizing certified teaching positions. Classified staff hours would also decrease under the changes, saving the district about $82,000.

Despite the changes put forward, Drayer said no staff elimination is planned — much of the district’s savings will come from retiring staff members.

Other budget propositions range from the district eliminating drug testing programs — now deemed illegal by the state of Washington — to eliminating transportation for some C-team sports at the high school.

Jones said the district administrators have been in talks with school administrators to find ways to reduce expenditures that will not affect the classroom.

“We wanted to do the least amount of damage,” Jones said. “But the classroom will be impacted. This will only continue — not get better — next year.”

School Board members will likely approve the final budget in August. The proposed budget reductions could be changed between now and then, Jones said.

“There are some big ones here, but a little cut here and there and we have something that we can use next year,” School Board President Liza Bott said.

The Burlington-Edison School Board joins Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley high schools, which are slated to make similar budget cuts for the 2008-09 school year.

In a related agenda item, the Burlington-Edison School Board unanimously approved increasing school lunch prices next year. Elementary, middle school and high school students will see a $0.25 increase.

Finance Director Joe Stewart said if the number of meals served remains the same, the district could see a $29,200 increase in revenue to offset increasing food costs.