The $8 million shortfall hitting the Marion County school district next year, may double.

"That's a significant amount of money," said Kevin Christian, school district spokesperson.

After a meeting with their Tallahassee lobbyist, school board members were told of a possible three percent cut in state funding next year, which would mean a $16 million shortfall, double what district leaders were expecting.

"We anticipated some level of cuts, maybe we didn't think it was going to be up to three percent," he said.

The district wont be replacing employees, they'll be cutting back on department budgets, and implementing a four day school week to save money.

"We don't have to heat or air condition 51 schools, plus the district offices, that one day a week," he said.

Which will save the district up to $4.5 million.

"We've got to find 12 million dollars elsewhere to cut. I really don't know what we're going to do at this point," he said.

Whatever the school board decides to do, parents have a few things they hope don't get the axe.

"I definitely don't think that cutting teachers pay is where they need to cut, and I don't think taking the extra curricular out of the schools is going to be a good thing," said Shelly Sparkman, a parent.

"Keep the after school activities, make sure they still get their extracurricular sports and not cut those as well," said Sheri Glore, a parent.