ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orange County school leaders are considering a proposal that would eliminate nearly 1,000 teaching positions as they continue to seek ways to trim $150 million from the budget.

The school board heard a proposal Monday night that would increase class sizes by adding two or four students to each room, a move that could save the district $54 million by eliminating hundreds of teachers' salaries.

If classrooms were increased by two students, 515 teachers could be eliminated, and 935 teaching jobs could be lost if classrooms were increased by four students.

"These are desperate times," Orange County Superintendent Ronald Blocker said.

"We realize that these are jobs, that these are people's lives, this is their livelihood, this is their career, (but) our hands are really tied," Orange County School Board Chairwoman Joie Cadle said.

Most board members said they would likely only OK an increase of two students per classroom.

But if the proposal were to be enacted, it would violate Florida's class-size amendment, meaning the district could face fines.

"If they penalize us, you know, we don't have the money there to be penalized," Cadle said. "We're hoping that the Legislature will work with us."

A waiver on the class size was issued for the current school year for cash-strapped school districts, but it's not known if it will be extended to next school year.

"Hopefully the penalty will be waived," Blocker said.

The school board may also consider cutting its members' salaries, and possible cuts to magnet schools will be discussed at a board meeting Tuesday night.

A "Save Our Schools" rally will be held Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Conway Elementary School. Teachers, parents and students are encouraged to attend to provide input about the school budget crisis.

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The following are links to Central Florida school district Web sites:

Brevard County

Flagler County

Lake County

Marion County

Orange County

Osceola County

Seminole County

Sumter County

Volusia County