Ellington

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Hattiesburg Public School District Superintendent James Bacchus is proposing to eliminate the majority of a $1.8 million budget shortfall by cutting 20 teacher positions.

Bacchus tells the Hattiesburg American (http://hatne.ws/10V4PZm ) his plan to lay off teachers must be approved by the Hattiesburg Public School District Board of Trustees. The board will hold its budget hearings in June.

But Bacchus says has already failed to renew some teaching contracts related to student support programs involving computer-assisted learning. He could not say how many contracts he had not renewed.

The district is facing the shortfall in its 2013-14 budget year, which begins July 1.

Bacchus expected to save about $1.2 million by cutting the teacher positions. He said he had not decided how he would deal with the $600,000 remaining shortfall.