Although the East Lansing School Board delayed approving a $4.2-million cut to the district's budget Monday, teacher union representatives said a longer wait is necessary.

"I think the school board is still in a rush," Michigan Education Association spokesman Mike McEachern said. "One week is not enough time. There are still a lot of unanswered questions."

The 2003 budget was on the agenda to be passed Monday, but was delayed a week by the seven-member board with an unanimous vote. The plan would cut 12 percent of the district's $33-million budget.

"There are many questions I have that I need to make," board Trustee Rodney Stokes said after viewing amendments to the budget plan Monday.

Superintendent Tom Giblin presented changes to the district's 25-point plan to balance the budget including laying off 20 elementary teachers instead of 18.5 and proposing to keep principals at all schools instead of sharing between buildings.

"I think these changes respond to what I heard from the public and board members," Giblin said Monday. "These are changes made after listening to numerous responses."

Giblin also said with Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget plan, the district will get back about $600,000 more than officials had prepared for. He said it's too early to believe that proposal will pass.

Other revenue-increasing suggestions included increasing lunch prices by 25 cents, raising $100,000 in advertising and charging all high school students an $100 activity fee for sports and clubs - even if the student doesn't participate in any extra-curricular activities. The changes also eliminate 1.5 nurses instead of three and retain teacher consultants.

Giblin also said the plan now includes laying off an additional technology staff member and making the athletic director a part-time position.

The amended plan still includes closing Spartan Village Elementary School, privatizing custodial and transportation staffs, laying off 35 teachers and eliminating the director of finance. About 150 positions would be eliminated with the proposal.

Many community members requested the board approve the budget in pieces, rather than as a package, but no decisions were made.

Board President Barbara McMillan said she is in favor of approving the budget all at once.

"I think all parts affect all other parts," she said. "So we should vote on the budget all at once."

Edwina Marshall, president of the East Lansing Education Association, said teachers don't have confidence in the proposed plans and requested administrators share the budget numbers with the teachers' union.

"You need to open the books so we can work together and make suggestions," she said. "We are all uncomfortable with the board accepting the budget as a blanket format."