A message from the Northport-East Northport School District to the more than 100 barred from attending Monday’s board of education meeting: It was not intentional.

Just in case the cars lining streets for miles wasn’t a clue, 500 tried to force their way into the William Brosnan School’s gymnasium as the superintendent unveiled a $146,977,339 budget. But when the fire marshal’s 350-person limit was reached, yellow-jacketed security officials kept crowds in the hallway.

“I go to the meetings. Where are these people the rest of the year?” parent Tricia Fricke said angrily. “The people who are paying the taxes can’t get in.”

Sandra D’Eloia, a former trustee, fought her way just beyond the doorframe before she gave up, complaining that noise from the hallway made discussions inside inaudible. D’Eloia, a grandmother of three children in the district, called the situation an outrage.

“None of us can even get an agenda,” she said.

About 400 people in attendance were members of the United Teachers of Northport [UTN] or district employees, UTN President Antoinette Blanck said. The union and school district are currently in negotiations as their current contract expires on June 30. Blanck said the decision was made two weeks ago, adding that she cautioned district officials a large contingent could attend.

“I would never blindside the district,” she said, recommending future budget meetings be held at a larger venue. “I would not like to see anyone excluded whether they be taxpayers or teachers in the community. Nobody should be excluded from the budgetary process.”

President Steven Waldenburg said he learned of the teacher turnout only hours before their meeting, too late to shift the venue.

“I did not expect such a turn out, otherwise we would have relocated,” Waldenburg said.

He added that in-depth budget meetings are typically held in larger venues, and the upcoming Monday meeting will likely be held in Northport High School.

The president also confirmed that budget books containing line-by-line descriptions of expenses and revenues will also be available that day. Superintendent Marylou McDermott presented the board and audience members with a few early numbers, but the entire financial plan was not yet complete. Waldenburg said the numbers would be finalized this week and the book would be printed on Friday, although that information can also be downloaded from the district’s website tomorrow.

According to McDermott’s presentation, she and her staff had to cut $7.4 million from the $146,268,851 rollover budget introduced earlier this winter. The preliminary budget includes a $708,448, or 0.48 percent, spending increase and a 1.94 percent tax rate increase.

A large portion of the savings came at the cost of cutting a number of positions, especially teachers. If approved as is, 40.65 teaching positions and 10 teacher’s aide positions would be excessed. The district would also not replace an undetermined number of 21 teachers retiring for 2010-2011.

According to McDermott’s presentation, $3.1 million could be saved by trimming those teaching positions, while $948,566 could be saved by not replacing retiring staff.

Blanck said she received no warning from the district, although several members had approached her with letters saying their jobs may be in jeopardy. She also said such large cuts could increase class size and decrease the quality of education.

“To have 40 teachers, possibly 50 if 10 teacher positions are lost to attrition, that’s just under 10 percent. It’s going to be quite difficult to maintain class sizes,” she said.

Resident and former trustee Phil Fortuna called the possible cuts a tactic to get the UTN to accept a wage freeze for all its members.

Blanck refused to reveal if such freezes have been discussed during negotiations, but said any stories of the union being approached outside of negotiations are completely false. In the meantime, McDermott and other administrators agreed to a pay freeze, saving the district $419,626.

According to the presentation, 53 percent of the $146,977,339 is teacher salaries and 23 percent is personnel benefits. Supplies, books, software, etc. consume 2 percent, and equipment is listed at 0 percent.

By the same token, taxes are expected to fund 88 percent of the budget. State aid would provide just 8 percent, especially after Governor David Paterson’s proposed budget calls for a $1.2-million cut in current state aid.

“In past years when the governor comes out with a number, the legislature would put things back, at least to the same level. We’ve heard from Senator [John] Flanagan and others in the area that it’s not happening this year. It looks like our state aid is going to be reduced, and hopefully not more than that,” Waldenburg said.

But while resident Eugene McKenna was unhappy with the undersized venue, despite getting a seat inside, he was thankful McDermott heeded board direction to keep tax increases under 2 percent.

“They’ve got to make cuts,” McKenna said. “I don’t have any children in the district, so I should be in favor of large cuts, but I love children.”