SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — The Slippery Rock School Board is considering not filling a retiring principal position and laying off other staff members as way to close a nearly $700,000 budget gap.

Superintendent Kathy Nogay told the board Monday night that there are a few potential cuts that could be made to personnel, including eliminating the middle school’s assistant principal position.

Eliminating the position could save the district $102,000. Principal Joe Raykie will retire this summer.

Last week, business manager Paul Cessar presented a preliminary $28.2 million budget for 2012-13 with a $663,998 deficit.

Nogay also suggested combining the third and fourth grade classes at Har-Mer Elementary School and eliminating one of the teachers.

One Spanish teacher in the district only teaches a couple of classes, and Nogay said that position could be eliminated.

One German teacher is looking to transfer to an elementary school position. Nogay said the German program could be phased out in a few years.

At Moraine Elementary School, Nogay said the three sections of the third grade class could be merged into two sections and one of the teachers could be eliminated.

The board has until the end of June to pass a budget.