LISBON — Cuts to the proposed $15 million school budget will come mostly from not filling positions, Superintendent Richard Green told the School Committee on Monday night.

The 2016-17 spending plan is the same as this fiscal year, but would require $482,058 more from taxpayers. That figure is down from $1.6 million reflected in the original budget proposed in February.

“Most of the cuts made have been from positions not filled, Green said. “If they haven’t been filled, we won’t fill them.” 

Positions that will be restructured or not filled include K-12, gifted and talented, and technology, Green said. 

“Hard decisions have to be made, School Committee member Peter Reed said. 

“If there were people attached to these positions,” there would be more objections, Green said.

The final budget has to be adopted on May 9, Green said.

The budget includes projected revenue of $139,000 from adding a Special Purpose School that will provide support that is currently out of district, according to Lisbon Community School Principal Robert Kahler. 

In a vote of 5-0, the committee authorized Green to develop and pursue the approval of the school. It also approved transferring funds from several accounts into the facilities maintenance account so Green can get started on renovations at the Central Office, which will house the program.

Green said he wants to thank Student Services Director John Merrifield for all of his work and clear vision for the Special Purpose School.

In other business, school principals reported bullying incidents were down this year, which they attributed to the hard work of their staffs, being proactive and empowering students in discussions on the topic.