The state could reduce the number of school days.

Or Utah schools might have to lose hundreds of teachers.

Or lawmakers could decrease per-pupil spending, eliminate state-funded all-day kindergarten, or get rid of an $11.9 million arts program for students.

Lawmakers began Monday to consider options for chopping the state's education budget. They are looking at cutting funding to all state departments and agencies, including public education, by 7 1/2 percent by June 30, and by 15 percent in fiscal year 2010, although those figures are just recommendations at this point.

"I clearly think the public will notice a dramatic difference in schools as soon as we implement these cuts," said Patti Harrington, state superintendent.

The cuts could effectively mean a 12.6 percent reduction in per pupil spending in 2010. Utah already ranks last in the nation for per-pupil spending.

Every 1 percent cut to the Minimum School Program, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of education funding, could mean a loss of 371 full-time teachers and an increase in student-teacher ratios by nearly half a student, according to legislative fiscal analysts.

Utah has some of the largest class sizes in the nation.

The State Board of Education decided that school districts and charter schools should take a cut proportional to the amount of money they receive from the state each year. The board also wants districts to decide where to make cuts. The Utah State Office of Education has asked districts for proposals of how they might shave 4 1/2 percent and 7 1/2 percent from their budgets by June 30.

For now, details of those plans are scarce.

"I don't want to create panic unnecessarily by doing a worst-case scenario analysis," said Barry Newbold, superintendent of Utah's largest district, Jordan. Newboold's district stands to lose up to $23 million of $330 million in general fund dollars this year.

Salt Lake City Superintendent McKell Withers figures he can weather a 2 to 4 percent cut by delaying year-end purchases and building repairs. Anything more, Withers said, "will put Utah's public school children further behind the rest of the country."

The consensus is that districts will be forced to weigh hiring freezes and consolidating classrooms. Or, state board member Greg Haws said cutting back on the number of days of school could save the state $12.5 million a day.

With the school year more than half over, districts hope for speedy resolution to legislative negotiations with the governor who has recommended, contrary to lawmakers, that classrooms be held harmless for fiscal year 2009.

"The sooner the better," said Steven Peterson, with the Utah School Boards Association and Utah School Superintendents Association. "The longer we wait, it gets very drastic."

Districts also want local school boards left with as much discretion as possible. The state board will likely share districts' budget cutting proposals with lawmakers at the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee's next meeting on Jan. 21.

"Educators are better equipped to know what to cut than lawmakers are," said Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake City.

But the subcommittee is also looking at lists of state education programs with an eye toward saving money. For example, cutting the next three years of an arts program designed to put 60 art specialists and coordinators in schools would save $11.9 million. Lawmakers are also looking at trimming $16,700 this school year and $30,700 next fiscal year from a program that helps train families and educators to work with children with autism and $3 million from a program designed to help students learning English and their families. They're also considering different ways to cut administrative costs throughout the state.

State board members and lawmakers said Monday it would be nearly impossible to make cuts without affecting teachers. Haws said about 85 percent of schools' budgets typically go toward salaries and benefits.

"It's got to hit compensation or we don't get there," said Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George.

Fern Wilkerson, principal at Backman Elementary School in Salt Lake City, said she hopes lawmakers are able to make cuts without cutting teachers. "My philosophy is you cut teachers last. They're the heart and soul of education."

The subcommittee will meet again Jan. 21 to further discuss cuts.