PEABODY – Superintendent Milt Burnett presented his proposed school budget for fiscal year 2010 to the School Committee Tuesday night, marking the start of an at least two-month discussion process for members.This year’s level funded budget came in at $59,478,158. The grand total does not, however, include any anticipated federal stimulus money, nor does it include any hopeful state aide. What it does include are several cuts, none of which Burnett was happy to announce.”What is being proposed is his best estimate,” said Mayor Michael Bonfanti, before such cuts were made public. “I assure you we all take this very, very seriously.”In order to maintain the current level of “core” services, Burnett suggested the following non-salary reductions:school supplies by 25 percentinstructional and technology equipmentmaintenance suppliesutilities, which includes reducing and/or eliminating air conditioning useprofessional developmentspecial education contracted servicesHe also suggested numerous job cuts, including seven elementary school teachers, three middle school teachers, eight high school teachers, eight elementary level reading teachers, nine lunch monitors, six elementary school guidance counselors, two school adjustment counselors, one adaptive physical education teacher and four custodians across the district.Paraprofessionals were far from spared with 11 cuts, nine of which came in the library sector. Burnett also recommended reducing the work week for all paras to a maximum of 19 hours per week, ultimately eliminating any benefits. He said this particular reduction is not the best, as it would create the situation where students in need would be educated by several different instructors, rather than one constant individual.Increasing athletic and transportation fees are likely, as are creating fees to interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities. Burnett said such programs would have to operate on a self-supporting basis. School lunch prices would also see a change, as would integrated preschool tuition.Of those items he listed, Burnett said, “none were pleasant.””Every single one of these we would expect to see in public education,” he said, calling the elimination process “undesirable.”Committee members showed particular concern over the idea of charging fees and/or increasing fees for student activities.”It’d be the death of athletics in the city,” said School Committee member Ed Nizwantowski, adding that most parents would rather send their children to private schools if that were the case.Although clearly disappointed, Committee members appeared to show some understanding for the suggestions.”We’re in survival mode,” said Committee member Mike Moutsoulas, who has spent the last few months developing ways to drastically reduce costs and reorganize the district, if such a day should come. “These times are forcing us to act like a business.”School Business Manager Mike Musto estimated that the numerous reductions would equal $4.6 million in savings.”Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said Nizwantowski.If, however, federal stimulus money and state aide happens to find its way to the city of Peabody, Bonfanti said deleted items would be added back into the budget on a priority basis.Tuesday’s meeting was merely for discussion. No decisions were made. Committee members are expected to work through the budget, line by line, at least until June. Once the budget has been fine tuned and approved, it will be passed on to the City Council for a vote.