York City School District could go from a $19 million in deficit to a $1 million surplus if it cuts more than 90 positions, including office and athletic staff.

The school board heard the hard, cold budget facts from James Duff, the district's business consultant, during its committees meeting Wednesday.

The district has been working to reduce its $19 million deficit next year. The district will have to make some hard decisions to reduce the deficit, Duff said

"You have an opportunity to balance the budget, but it is at great peril," he said.

The district could gain close to $4.7 million in revenue with a 17 percent tax increase, Duff said. Another $3.1 million can be gained through salary and benefit reductions, he added.

Duff said that for the 2012-2013 school year, the district is expected to receive more than $2.9 million in Student Achievement Education Block Grant appropriation through Gov. Tom Corbett's budget.

However, the district has to pay out more than $2.5 million for Intermediate Unit transportation and more than $1.3 million for special education, Duff said.

He presented the board deficit-reducing options that included getting rid of "non-mandatory" programs and their accompanying positions.

He said the district could save: $1.9 million by cutting 32 teachers through a K-8 reconfiguration proposal that includes closing two middle schools; $487,127 by eliminating eight high school staff positions; and $896,325 by cutting 17 staff positions with the closure of Lindberg Academy, the district's alternative education unit.

Duff said the district could bring in a private provider to do an alternative education program that would cost $490,000.

Other possible cuts:Other budget proposals include saving $470,439 by eliminating about four central office positions, including two assistant superintendents.

More than $573,000 can be saved by eliminating middle school principals and assistant principals positions, as well as a high school principal position. Cutting 20 education support jobs - including cafeteria aids, office managers and custodial staff - would save $289,317.

The district could reduce it's athletic program expense by $163,866 by eliminating its athletic director position and several coaching jobs in freshman track, volleyball, tennis and baseball.

Board member Gary Calhoun expressed interest in finding ways to minimize staff cuts.

Deborah Wortham, the district's superintendent, said final decisions have not been made concerning cutting staff or programs.

Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.