CHAPEL HILL -- While its budget concerns are far from over, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board voted Thursday to keep several programs, such as thematic academies and middle-school dual language, for next year.

While the programs are safe, the board will cut funding for academies by $50,000, or 51 percent, and for the Middle College program by $20,000, or 27 percent.

The academies offer high school courses with a specific theme, such as social justice or the arts. The Middle College program allows rising 11th and 12th grade students to take high school and college courses at Durham Technical Community College.

The board will decide on further budget cuts later. It had to decide the fate of the programs so registration and planning for next year could continue.

Many teachers and students spoke out on behalf of the academies, noting they serve an increasing number of minority students and offer students memorable experiences such as attending President Barack Obama's inauguration.

"They make connections between what they learn in school and what goes on in the real world," said Bob Brogden, who teaches Social Justice Academy classes at East Chapel Hill High.

"It gives school a meaning for them that I don't think they would have otherwise."

Vice-chairman Mike Kelley was the only board member who voted against committing to fund the academies. He said it's too early in the budget deliberations to make that decision.

"I think it's in the board's interests to delay making financial commitments as long as possible," Kelley said.

But board member Greg McElveen said the benefits of the academies go well beyond the students they serve.

"[They] can be a model and source for ideas for other teachers as well," he said.

Some board members expressed similar concerns about the middle school dual language program, which allows students to take courses in Chinese or Spanish. The programs have low enrollment. But the vote to keep the program was unanimous, as administrators said cutting it would hurt the successful elementary dual language programs.

"My fear is that if we eliminate the program at the middle school, they'll start pulling their children out of the program," said Jose Nambo, dual language and ESL coordinator for the district.