Dothan City Schools are stretching every dollar they have to avoid layoffs.

Board members won't vote on any structural cuts until Governor Robert Bentley's proposed budget is passed.

In Bentley's March 1st address he said he would protect teachers.

But transportation, maintenance, cafeteria and janitorial budgets would be reduced.

Bentley says he's leaving it up to the local school boards to "see where they have fat."

“It's going to require cuts, it’s going to require reductions. Passing the budget is a priority. They all understand what we're up against," said Dothan City Schools Superintendent Sam Nichols.

What they're up against is a possible $1.3-million budget reduction this school year.

“We're having to put $400,000 of local money in transportation to operate. If the governor proposal goes through it would be over $1-million in 2012 to operate our transportation system," said Nichols.

Alabama Schools Chief Joe Morton sees things differently from Bentley.

He's recommending 2 furlough days for teachers and increasing class sizes, which would result in 15 less teachers for Dothan City Schools.

"There are a lot of balls in the air but how this is going to work out I don't know, but when I do I'll be sure to make sure that you're informed," said Nichols.

He expects the legislature to make a decision in the next few weeks.

Another hot button issue was principal contracts and whether the contracts up for approval would include pay cuts.

"We're in a financial pinch. It’s important that we're consistent with what we did in contracts this year as with what we did last year as a board," said School Board Member Chris Maddox.

In addition to finances the board gave an update on the Superintendent search.

Currently, there are several applicants interested in the position and the law firm conducting the search will have that list whittled down to 5 candidates in April.

The school board will post their financials on the school's website at http://www.dothan.k12.al.us/