Preliminary estimates indicate that Atlanta Public Schools faces an initial deficit of $45 million as the school board works on crafting a budget for next school year.

Chuck Burbridge, chief financial officer for APS, told the school board’s Budget Commission on Tuesday that general fund revenue is projected to be $610 million, and approximate expenses would total $655 million.

The school board plans to approve a budget for the 2014-2015 school year in April.