School officials have indentified $49 million in cuts in supplimental teacher pay raises and foreign language programs in the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget.

Schools officials had looked for cuts after county commissioners agreed to a budget plan that is $36 million short of what the school system wanted. Since the board last met, earlier this month, members had adopted an interim budget resolution allowing the system to continue into the new fiscal year.

The board must resolve the funding gap and adopt a balanced budget resolution in a timely manner, which means possibly making cuts in order to close the gap.

Del Burns, a school superintendent said during the meeting Monday that the proposed cuts include the supplimental pay raises that the system uses to attract teachers, foreign language programs and even fire ant removal.

A list of proposed new programs and expansions are in jeopardy, and the shortfall may lead to smaller raises for employees, no increased funding for things like literacy coaches or smaller Special Ed class sizes.

"Each of these items we can say we thought about them, we know that cutting them will hurt the classroom but we have no choise," said school board member Patti Head.

And with inflation, rising fuel prices, and a growing student population, it's difficult to cut back spending.

"There's no sense in complaining," said school board member Ron Margiotta. "It's what the commissioners have given us. We've been dealt a hand and and have to play it."

But after Wake County passed its budget earlier this month, County Chair Joe Bryan said economic times are tough all around, and that even with a property tax hike in the budget, this is as much money as they can afford to give.

"We had to prioritize to keep the tax rates as low as possible and still meet the needs of Wake County," said Bryan.

Despite the interim resolution, with the new fiscal year beginning July 1, the board will have to work fast towards a budget resolution.