The Sachem Central School District says jobs may have to be cut to make up for a $11.7 million budget hole.

The school board outlined one proposal which called for cuts to 30 staff members at the elementary level teachers, 30 staff members at the secondary level and 10 cuts in the teacher's assistant bargaining unit.

The board says even with those cuts and 35 teachers who are retiring, and whose jobs would not be replaced, the district could still be short $1.6 million.

Teachers, staff and parents packed a board meeting Wednesday to discuss their concerns.

“I think that’s what the community wants is just fair and unbiased cuts across the board from all the members that don’t start with the teachers because that hurts the kids more than anything,” says Jake Harrison.

Jon Weston, executive vice president of the Sachem Central Teachers Association, says that the cuts mean the “class sizes are going to increase from all levels from the elementary to secondary levels, programs are going to be cut, electives are going to be cut, special areas are going to be cut. The district, the students, the community are definitely going to feel it.”

The district says its budget deficit could still grow depending on how much aid it receives from the state. The budget is due on April 16.