Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

MONUMENT, COLO. -- The past few months have been difficult for all school districts across the state, and Lewis Palmer 38 is no different.

In light of the state's budget issues, the district is looking at cutting a variety of things, including staff.

"Layoffs are a word we really do not like to use in education, but there will be jobs here this year that will not be there next year," said assistant superintendent of operations Cheryl Wangeman.

As far as programs are concerned Wangeman said the district is looking at reducing or cutting a variety of them. She said the superintendent has held about 45 meetings to discuss what should go and what should stay.

"We also put out a survey to everyone in the community about what they think is important and we used that as a determining factor of what we should do," Wangeman said.

As a result of the study the district is considering contracting out some of its services, such as food. It's a move that could save the district some money.

"Food services is supposed to be a break-even operation, but our district has a low free-and-reduced lunch count and fairly small grade schools, and that makes having food services very difficult, so by looking at what an outsider can provide we can compare and contrast what is best for the district and move forward," Wangeman said.

Whatever the district decides to do Wangeman said the cuts will not go unnoticed and added things are probably going to get worse before they get better.

For a complete breakdown of District 38's budget, click here.