Forty-four teachers are slated for layoff in Buffalo, the majority of them in math or science.

That is a significant reduction from the 124 layoffs that were originally expected when the school system first unveiled its proposed budget last spring.

Superintendent James A. Williams said a recent slew of retirements, largely spurred by an early-retirement incentive, helped mitigate the number of layoffs in Buffalo.

The exact number of layoffs in each area is subject to change, for a variety of reasons. For now, though, the system plans to lay off the following teachers: six in social studies, eight in career and technical education, 15 in math and 15 in science. No cuts are expected at the elementary level.

“I don’t know whether this will stand, but that’s where we are now,” Williams said Monday.

Teachers union President Philip Rumore questioned why some areas were hit so hard.

“I think we need an explantion of why they need to cut so many science teachers, especially when there is money coming in from the federal government,” he said, referring to $607 million expected to come to New York in the coming weeks.

The federal government is poised to authorize $10 billion for education in what is commonly called the “edujobs” bill. New York stands to collect $607 million—what the federal government projects is enough to save 7,100 jobs.

In Buffalo, the disparity of teacher

layoffs across subject areas is partially due to scheduling needs at the secondary level, Williams said, and partially due to retirements.

“When you looked at the retirees, they didn’t fall in the specific areas where we needed to save positions,” Williams said. “We still have to hire some people.”

For instance, 66 special-education teachers retired. The system needs to replace all of them.

Those slated for layoff are probationary, tenure-track teachers, generally meaning they have been in the system less than three years. The system also will not ask back about 50 temporary teachers — certified teachers hired for a limited time to cover a teacher who is on leave. Those would not be considered layoffs.

In addition to the teachers, Buffalo expects to lay off about 50 teacher’s aides.

“I would hope there would be no cuts, because obviously the kids are going to suffer,” said Ellis Woods, president of the union representing teacher’s aides. He said he hopes the expected infusion of federal money will restore those positions.

Williams said the system still faces uncertainty in a number of financial areas — including pension payments, charter school funding and grant funds for personnel at persistently low-achieving schools — even though the state has finally adopted a budget. The Buffalo system also is likely to get additional revenue from the federal government that it did not budget, although the exact amount is not known.

Board of Education President Ralph R. Hernandez said he is hopeful that if the federal money is approved, Buffalo might restore some of the positions targeted for layoff, as long as the federal or state government does not restrict local schools in how they spend the money.

“I think Dr. Williams will probably revisit that layoff situation. I suspect he wants to keep as many teachers as he can,” Hernandez said.

The U. S. Senate approved the package last week. If the House approves the measure and President Obama signs it, the State Legislature would then decide how the money is apportioned.

The funding distribution in New York could follow the existing state aid formula or Title I formula; the latter would funnel more money to poor, urban schools like Buffalo, a spokesman for the state Education Department said.