SOUTHINGTON - Alta, gifted and talented, middle school sports and more than 20 teachers are on the chopping block because of budget deficits school officials said Monday.

Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. along with members of the Board of Education announced the list of superintendent's recommendation for cuts to meet the budget set by the Board of Finance.

"To see what this looks like on paper is very disturbing," Board member Jill Notar-Francesco said. "I'm really hoping the town council will help us out and restore money so this does not become a reality."

Among the proposed cuts by Erardi is the complete elimination of the alternative education program Alta, including the 6.4 full time teachers who worked there. The students would be absorbed into the Southington High School population.

Other cuts include the elimination of all sports at the middle schools, the gifted and talented program throughout the system and five librarians from the elementary and middle schools.

In total, the plan represents a cut of 37 positions and an additional wage reduction for 23 staff members.

"I do not support one penny of this plan. Not one cent of it," Erardi said. "I remain confident that our Town Council will look at the impact and look at the schools landscape."

The Town Council is holding a public hearing on the budget tonight scheduled for 7 p.m. at DePaolo Middle School, 385 Pleasant St.