BUTLER TWP — Butler School District administrators have letters from 29 employees saying they intend to resign or retire, which could help ease the projected $4.4 million budget gap for next school year.

The letters are from 19 teachers and 10 support staff.

With state and federal education funding in flux, the school district has relied on staff retirements and resignations, property tax increases and the use of reserve funds to balance its budget each year.

Now, Brian Slamecka and Carolyn Cornish, assistant superintendents for secondary and elementary schools, respectively, are reviewing the district’s needs to develop a staffing plan for 2013-14, said Cathy Rodgers, director of business services.

“I can’t estimate anything yet,” Rodgers said of potential savings from the expected staff changes.

Some of those positions may be eliminated while the remaining ones are expected to be filled with lower paid personnel.

In recent years, retirements and other cost cutting actions have reduced the amount of fund balances needed each year, from $648,758 in 2008-09 to $182,035 in 2011-12.

Without the expected personnel cuts and with the near level funding from state and federal sources, the district’s 2013-14, $96.5 million budget has a $4.4 million deficit.

Superintendent Mike Strutt has not discussed the possible staff retirements with the school board, calling them “speculative” at this time.

“To me it just seems like spinning our wheels and going over the same ground,” he said if retirement savings are estimated now but then staffing changes later on.

Teachers have until May 1 to declare if they plan to resign or retire, under the union contracts.

Over the past two school years, the district has eliminated about 75 positions.

In 2011-12, Butler had 938 total employees.

At the state level, the General Assembly is examining employee pension reform which would reduce the district’s annual costs. In addition, the proposed liquor store privatization and increased Safe Schools funding also could increase the state’s contributions to school districts.

The Butler School Board is planning a budget workshop for early May, Strutt said.

The district is required to finalize its next year’s budget by June 30.