Carroll ISD school board of trustees on Monday night voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution for a general "balance the budget" framework plan, as a move to address a projected $5 million budget deficit.

Trustees only voted to approve the first item—reducing eight staff positions in fifth- through 12th- grades through attrition for the 2012-2013 school year—in the plan. The cuts will only affect positions that have been left vacant. The move does not affect the block schedule or programs.

"Having that level of cut over the next couple of years wouldn't require us to actually let anyone go," board President Read Ballew said after the meeting. "We just wouldn't hire as many people."

There will be a reduction of two positions at Carroll Senior High School; two positions at Carroll High School; one each at middle school; and one each at intermediate school for the 2012-2013 school year.

Trustees are planning to cut six more positions through attrition the following year, but their move Monday only approved the staff cuts that will affect the coming year.

"It is effective immediately," Ballew said. "It is up to the high school, and senior high school, intermediate school and middle school principals to work through their schedule and determine how they are going to adjust with that new framework."

Trustees are planning to discuss other items in the plan at future board meetings, district spokeswoman Julie Thannum said.

Trustees Craig Rothmeier and Fred Stovall were absent from the meeting.