A $40.5 million budget the South Portland Board of Education approved Monday night calls for cutting more than a dozen positions, including teaching and coaching jobs.

But Superintendent Suzanne Godin said that no one would lose their jobs under the proposed spending plan. Vacant positions would be eliminated and staff members would assume other open jobs, if their positions are cut.

Godin noted in her presentation of the budget that costs continue to rise, even in challenging financial times.

“In addition to increases in the areas of salaries, benefits and insurance, the proposed budget includes four new elementary teaching positions to address increasing enrollment needs,” she said.

The new spending plan would:

• Cut positions for a social studies teacher, special education teacher and special education social worker;

• End the middle-school cheerleading program;

• Cut the data manager and building control specialist;

• Drop stipends for up to eight coaching jobs;

• Freeze salaries of top administrators;

• Cut an administrative assistant who works on teacher certification;

• Decrease the budget for substitute teachers.

The department also is eyeing cost savings from consolidating athletic trips, and relying more on staff to plow snow, rather than paying contractors.

Although the budget was endorsed by the school board, the final numbers are still in flux. School officials do not know how much money they will receive from the state and federal governments.

Currently, the South Portland School Department expects to lose $875,000 in state funding for the 2009-10 school year, but that figure is not final.

Also, the details of the federal stimulus package and how it will benefit local schools in Maine are still being figured out. The board expects to meet again by the end of the month for an update on revenues, and how they may be used under the terms of the package.

Meanwhile, Godin is in talks with leaders of the teachers’ union about possible salary concessions for workers.

School officials are adhering to City Council direction to present a budget that does not increase taxes by more than 3.5 percent. But they hope salary concessions may further reduce the school’s increase on the local tax rate.

The City Council is expected to review the municipal and school budgets on April 1. Voters will be asked to approve the school budget in June, as well as a $5.8 million bond for maintenance projects at the two middle schools and high school. The bond calls for upgrading electrical wiring, improving ventilation, enhancing security, and making upgrades for handicapped accessibility.

The Council recently endorsed the school bond, saying that the maintenance spending will likely be more favorably received by voters than a previous bond proposal to rebuild South Portland High School for $56 million.