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Budget Problems For JeffCo Schools Worse Than First Thought

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - The budget problems for students in Jefferson County have gotten worse.

Last month Jeffco Public Schools estimated they would lose $37 million with the cuts to education announced by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Now the district says it will lose nearly $40 million in funding.

On Tuesday night parents and teachers were at a meeting in Lakewood where business and political leaders addressed the economic and educational realities for Jefferson County.

Parents and educators say this is an eye opening situation and are now looking at options to solve the budget problem.

"Other than asking for more money, we need our community to come together," parent Kelly Johnson said. "We need to get behind our schools, we need to be a supportive group."

Superintendent Cindy Stevenson says how those cuts will be determined will be announced on Friday. It's likely class sizes will grow and some jobs will be lost.

"I think all those people need to have a dialogue and make a determination about what kind of schools do we want in Colorado," Superintendent Cindy Stevenson said.

There are also several future meetings planned to try and work out the solution to the budget crisis.

Jeffco Public Schools is the largest school district in the state.

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