Despite an injection of federal stimulus dollars, Salem schools will be a different division next year, school officials said as budget talks began Tuesday night.

In their darkest projections, teachers may take a pay cut. But not one will be laid off.

The Salem School Board was presented with a $42.9 million budget proposal, about $1.8 million short of last year's spending plan. It marks the first budget decline in memory.

To help plug the hole, administrators have proposed $850,000 in reductions to wages and benefits, along with the elimination of six teaching positions. Cuts in new computers, textbooks, carpeting and instructional supplies amount to $500,000 more.

The effects of the proposed reductions will ripple through the schools, Superintendent Alan Seibert said. With fewer teachers and job freezes on the horizon, class sizes will rise. Classrooms will have fewer instructional tools and teachers less money for professional development.

"Everybody's going to have less stuff," the superintendent said.

However, the "worst-case scenario" budget proposal does not account for federal stimulus money, which could be worth as much as $1.3 million for Salem schools.

Michael Crew, director of business services for the schools, expected the money to arrive with strings attached, making it difficult to apply to his numbers. The school system will need to meet several guidelines in spending it, including some that have not yet been written, he said.

"We're pleased that there's going to be help, but the devil's in the details," Seibert added.

A public hearing was on the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting. "Is there anyone here to speak about the budget?" board Chairman Sally Southard asked.

There was not.