ORLANDO, Fla. -- Parents expressed outrage Thursday to Orange County school leaders over a proposal to close seven elementary schools and merge the students into other campuses.

The proposal is part of an effort to trim $240 million from the Orange County schools budget. The move is expected to save the district $7.5 million.

Many parents attended the Orange County Public Schools community input meeting, voicing concerns and anger over the possibility of larger classroom sizes and younger students attending the same school as eighth-grade students.

"OCPS. You all are homewreckers. You all are breaking up a family," a man said. "Did you guys consult with anyone before doing this?"

"I need to know how you're going to protect my child's innocence," a mother said.

The plan, which was announced earlier this week, includes the closing of Eccleston, Grand Avenue, Hillcrest, Maxey, Pine Castle, Kaley and Richmond Heights elementary schools.

"Is this enough talk to say we take it off the table? I don't know. We have to continue through the process. But what I can tell you is the money is going to have to be found somewhere. It's not going to grow on a tree," said Orange County School Board member Joie Cadle.

The school board will further discuss the merger plan on April 15.

Meanwhile, an idea to generate funds that was shot down by Seminole County school leaders has been approved in South Florida.

Miami-Dade Public Schools will allow corporate advertisements in hallways and cafeterias and possibly on billboards placed on school property.

Some parents expressed anger over the decision, which is expected to add millions of dollars to the district's budget.

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