Gorham Superintendent Ted Sharp has lowered the number of job reductions to 20 full- and part-time positions from 30 he first proposed in his preliminary school budget for 2009-2010.

Cuts under Sharp’s revision, discussed by the School Board during a workshop session Saturday, now would include 5.8 teachers, down from 12.5; six educational technicians, down from eight; a part-time secretary; and one speech specialist. The positions held by one principal, who is retiring, and a part-time crossing guard at the middle school, also retiring, would not be filled. The cuts add up to a $712,530 saving.

The revised, proposed school budget is now projected to be $29.5 million, down slightly from $29.6 million for this fiscal year. Under the proposed budget, the local Gorham taxpayers’ contribution would remain the same at $12.9 million.

School Committee Chairman Dennis Libby said Saturday during a recess in the workshop that the School Committee could decide Wednesday, March 25, whether to authorize the job cuts so those impacted would have ample notification.

No names have been announced yet. Libby said that cuts wouldn’t be final until the budget is passed later this spring.

Health insurance rates, unknown last week, remained the same, allowing Sharp, who figured on a 5 percent hike, an additional $191,000. Combining that with the restoration of a projected $340,000 in state subsidy curtailment allowed the reduction in job losses.

Sharp’s revised budget does retain $63,650 for a tech support position and $66,502 for a high school substance abuse counselor.

“We need a drug and alcohol counselor to meet the needs of our students,” Chris Record, high school principal, told the School Committee.

Another new initiative, an expansion of a state program to equip high school students with laptop computers, is expected to cost Gorham $213,000.

“It’s essential for our kids to hone their skills,” Sharp said, favoring the laptop program.