When it comes to the state's public schools budget, lawmakers are preparing for the worst.

The public education budget committee voted Thursday on a list of possible cuts including a 5.3 percent hit to per pupil spending, less busing for students and far fewer programs for at-risk students. The committee was assigned to find ways to cut education by 5 percent next school year in case upcoming revenue estimates prove sour.

That 5 percent cut, however, would be on top of the 5 percent cut schools already absorbed this year and with a lack of more than $290 million in federal stimulus and other money that helped keep the education budget afloat this school year.

"I think this 5 percent we were budgeted is steep," said Rep. Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton. "I just in my heart of hearts don't think it will be that big."

Todd Hauber, state associate superintendent, called the recommendations a "very, very large cut to public education." He said he hopes lawmakers find more money for schools in coming weeks. Updated state revenue estimates are expected next week.

"It's too early to even pass judgment on what's happening," Hauber said. "There's just too much more to happen."

Under the recommendations adopted Thursday, lawmakers would cut state funding for school buses by $6.3 million, meaning students in grades 7-12 would likely have to live farther from school -- three miles away instead of two miles -- to get bus service. They would also cut all of the state money, $500,000, meant to help schools buy new library books and technology. They would also cut $15 million in state money that now goes to support programs for at-risk students such as alternative high schools. It would be up to districts to decide whether to continue those programs without state support.

Other cuts would include less money for dual-immersion language classes, school nurses, the state's electronic high school, concurrent enrollment and two traveling arts and science programs, among others.

State Superintendent Larry Shumway had asked lawmakers to recommend proportional cuts to all programs. But lawmakers chose instead to make larger cuts to some programs and spare others. For example, the recommendations spare the raises teachers have received in recent years from further cuts.

Lawmakers are also recommending that if more funding for schools is found, that money go back first to a handful of programs including the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, dual immersion language programs, library books and Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarships. Once those programs are restored, lawmakers would then like to see any additional money put toward per pupil spending.

Kim Campbell, president of the Utah Education Association, said she would have liked to see a greater emphasis put on per pupil spending.

"It seems like we really ought to look at [per pupil spending] as the major funding factor for schools and then look at programs second," Campbell said.

The committee also, however, voted to recommend that the Legislature fund 11,000 new students expected next school year and not cut education by 5 percent. The current plan is not to fund those additional students.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, who is co-chairman of the education budget committee, said he's been assured that schools won't be forced to take a 5 percent cut and not receive funding for the new students.

"My sense is we'll get significantly more money than is in this list," he said.