ST. PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul school board has taken the first step in trimming $27 million from its 2010-2011 budget by cutting 117 non-tenured teachers and a principal from the district’s payroll.

More layoffs are expected as the district deals with declining state aid and a drop in its student population.

Human resources spokeswoman Julie Coffey says as many as two dozen tenured teachers and more than 120 clerical staff and teaching assistants are also expected to be laid off.

Last year, the school board eliminated 267 staff positions, including 143 teachers, to cover a $25 million budget shortfall.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the district expects a student population of 37,000 next school year, a decline of about 400 to 500 pupils.