To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board is learning that state cuts could be deeper than expected. The chief financial officer from the State Department of Public Instruction briefed board members about the governor's proposed budget Tuesday evening.

While the state faces a $2.4 billion deficit, Gov. Perdue pledged to save teachers and teaching assistants, but the district is remaining cautious.

The CMS board already knew next years budget would be slashed. Tuesday, they got a better picture about how deep.

"It's going to be a huge revenue shortfall there's no way of looking around that," said Philip Prince, with the Department of Public Instruction.

That's despite Perdue's pledge to reduce the impact to the classroom. The numbers are fuzzy and the calculations are just estimates.

Right now, CMS is expected to lose $80 million in state funding. The district thought it over-cautious by preparing to cut $100 million. Now they're learning that number is closer to what's expected.

"That's actually less favorable than what we planned for," said CMS Board Chairman Eric Davis.

Board members asked questions and advocated for more flexibility from the state to help lessen the blow. The advice from the state is to prepare for the worst.

"The cliff that we're facing and the reductions that are coming our way are significant. The more you plan for a significant reduction the better," said Prince.

Because this time around, the worst could become a reality.

Officials say it's still early in the process. Lawmakers are taking a closer look at the governor's proposal and a lot of changes are expected to be made.