The public school board plans to cut 331 full-time jobs by next fall, including 172 classroom teachers.

The Calgary Board of Education – struggling with a $61.7 million budget shortfall – released its preliminary budget on Monday afternoon.

The board initially said it would use $12 million in reserve funds to minimize jobs cuts. On Monday finance director Wayne Braun said an additional $7 million has been found.

But he said using that money now will mean starting next year's budgeting process in a deep hole.

"Those are one-time funds. The costs are continuing. So right out of the gate next spring, as we try to build the [2012-2013 budget], we're $19 million short," he said.

Trustees will discuss the proposed budget Tuesday night with a final budget expected to be passed at the end of June.

This budget process has left many parents confused, said Eryn Kelly, a spokeswoman for the Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils.

"I still hear from parents saying, well we're saving teaching positions but we're cutting central services, and they don't understand the impact."

Larry Leach, spokesman for the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Calgary Schools, agreed that the budget needs to be easier to understand.

"Be honest and up front and give us a detailed budget. There's way more questions than answers in this budget."

The school board serves more than 100,000 students, including kindergarten students and adult learners. The school board employees more than 8,700 full-time job equivalents.