The Eau Claire School Board cut more than 40 jobs Monday night to save $1.8 million next year. In total the board voted on 10 items that will save the district more than $2 million. That money will help with next year's projected $4.1 million budget deficit.

It was a packed house at district headquarters; many of the people in the audience wore yellow to show their support for the 35 support staff and school assistants whose jobs were on the line. The majority of those in yellow filed out shortly after the board voted six to one to cut the positions and also to cut five custodians and one maintenance worker. Board President Carol Craig apologized to the crowd as they walked out the door. The president of the classified support staff says she's in shock over the cuts.

"Extremely disappointed and disheartened. Classified staff affect every piece of business in schools. They have an effect on the classroom, in the office, they meet with parents. I'm just extremely disappointed. I think our schools are going to look so much different next year and the children aren't going to receive the education they have in the past," Classified Support Staff President Bev Christianson told us after the vote.

Here's a look at what the board voted on Monday night:

--Cutting 35 support staff and school assistant positions throughout the district. Those include jobs at the central office, elementary, middle and high schools. The cuts will save the district $1.4 million. But, district leaders say those cuts will affect how much help teachers get preparing for class and their ability to do small group work in the elementary schools. A report shows the cuts could lead to safety issues when it comes to people who can help with first aid needs. And because there will be fewer staff members, the district will have to restructure some crisis plans.

--Cutting five custodians and a maintenance position, saving $372,000.

--Not filing a vacant staff development/assessment coordinator position, saving $105,000.

--Reducing substitute teacher time by 660 days, saving $70,000.

--Having early childhood classes at three schools instead of at six. That will eliminate seven bus routes and save $106,000.

--Opening the Special Olympic program to everyone in the district will move the program dollars to the community service fund, which is exempt from revenue limits and will save the district $75,500.

--Getting rid of Spanish classes in elementary schools will save $13,000.

--Reducing lighting in parking lots will save the district $5000 in energy costs. But, district reports say that choice could lead to more vandalism.

--Scheduling middle school students by semester instead of quarters will save the district $1000 in mileage reimbursements to traveling teachers and could save more money as a result of fewer under-enrolled classes.

With Monday night's $2.1 million in cuts, the board is still facing a $2 million budget deficit.

Board member Trish Cummins was the only member to vote against the job cuts.