TRENTON — The school district is trying to close a $10.5 million gap in funding for this year's budget, but will cut first from central office administration rather than trim funding to schools, Superintendent Francisco Duran said tonight.

“We need all of the resources we can for our schools,” Duran said in a presentation to city council.

The plan is to cut 77 positions and then “re-create” 58 positions, Duran said. Duran said it remains unclear how many employees would be eliminated.

The budget will go up for a vote at the school board meeting on Monday.

Duran said the deficit amounts to 3.5 percent of the district’s $302 million budget. It can be attributed to a reduction in state aid caused by two new charter schools set to open next year that will siphon available public funding. The budget and subsequent cuts would not be put in place until school board gives its approval.

Duran also updated council with regard to the project to rebuild Trenton Central High School. The new school project, funded by the state Schools Development Authority, was approved and the district is working to identify locations where students will attend class during the four to five years needed to rebuild the school.

Duran is expected to make a recommendation regarding in the district the high school students should be taught while the construction is ongoing. That recommendation will come at the school board meeting on Monday.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.

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