WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) The Wausau School District is depending on a higher-than-usual number of teacher retirements this summer to avoid large-scale layoffs next year.

The district is getting less state aid because of Wisconsin's budget deficit and because of declining enrollment. They need to cut 8-million dollars over the next three years.

For next fall, the district is hoping that 40 teachers retire. 13 of those positions would be replaced with less experienced teachers who are paid less. 27 positions would be eliminated.

The district also says it may discontinue a program that keeps class size small in some lower grades. It's a state funding program, but requires local matching dollars. The district will also hope for a larger number of teacher retirements in 2011 and 2012.