Gateway School District's school board voted to keep its high school's head football coach through the end of next year, but his position as athletic director was reduced to part-time.

Board members voted eight to one on the decision Wednesday night.

More than 600 people packed the high school auditorium to support coach Terry Smith.

District officials said they are dealing with a major budget gap and needed to cut the athletic director's job to part-time, furlough 24 teachers, eliminate elementary school field trips and some bus services.

Smith said he plans on fighting the decision.

"We're gonna keep battling. We're gonna keep doing what we do. Hopefully, eventually, they will make the right decision," Smith said.

The president of the local NAACP said they are planning to file a lawsuit demanding that Smith get his full-time position back.

The school board can revisit the issue at the end of the school year.