Wichita ? The Wichita school district will cut 72 positions and stop funding two popular programs as it tries to cut $30 million from its budget.

The district announced Thursday that it would drop funding for Parents as Teachers and the National Academic League.

Superintendent John Allison says the district is offering early retirement incentives to up to 200 employees who meet age and experience guidelines. He says the district is about halfway to its goal of cutting $30 million from its $630 million budget.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the district is also cutting $1.6 million in technology spending.

Parents as Teachers is an early childhood program. The National Academic League is a question-and-answer competition for middle school students. Supporters of both programs say they will look for other funding sources.