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RALEIGH – The Wake County School System is trying to figure out how it can save teachers' jobs, despite a projected budget shortfall of about $100 million.

School leaders gave the Wake Board of Education a budget update Tuesday afternoon. Even if the school system doesn't have to cut teachers, class sizes will still likely be larger in the coming years.

Under state recommendations the $100 million budget shortfall could mean cutting 260 – 360 teachers.

Some board members say that would be devastating to the school system.

“We're looking at academic genocide. We're looking at going back 25-30 years,” said School Board Member Kevin Hill. “If you've been in a classroom 30 years ago and you've seen what we're looking at with these cuts, we're going to hurt a generation of kids.”

The Department of Public Instruction also recommended significant cuts to teacher assistants, assistant principals and support staff like guidance counselors and social workers.

The board talked about potentially asking county commissioners and state lawmakers for more funding this year because the school system is also expecting an additional 4,000 students next year.

However, others say now is not the time to ask taxpayers for more money.

“Our families are out there struggling. How can you go to them for a tax increase now. I would not,” said School Board Member John Tedesco.

The bottom line, school leaders say, is class sizes most definitely go up .