The state Board of Education tonight approved a $46.5 million budget reduction plan called for by Gov. Linda Lingle.

Voting after hearing again from educators, students and others concerned about the impact on programs, board members met tomorrow's deadline set by Lingle.

However, the plan they OK'd in a meeting at McKinley High School falls short of the $69 million reduction blueprint the governor sought.

The budget cuts could affect everything from state resource teachers to special education, from public charter schools to high school athletics.

Cuts would not take effect until at least July 1, 2009.