Another Long Island school district is facing the difficult decision of downsizing.

This time, the Hempstead Union Free School District is considering staff layoffs and shuttering one of its buildings to cover an anticipated budget gap.

According to Hempstead Schools Superintendent of Business & Operations Jamal Scott, the district is projecting a $27 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year.

Board members blamed both declining student enrollment and rising charter school costs.

Scott, who spoke at the board's meeting on Feb. 5, projected the district will pay an additional $20 million for charter schools next year.

He added that the district is already planning to spend $16 million from its fund balance just to meet its revenue goals.

Officials speaking at last night's board meeting said cuts will be necessary while acknowledging they are still early in the budget process.

"We have to do something," Hempstead Interim Superintendent of Schools Susan Johnson said Wednesday night.

The board said they are considering seven different options on how to move forward and that cuts if they happen, would be based on seniority.

District officials did not commit to a certain number of cuts, say which school buildings could close, or explain how they plan to reassign affected students to different buildings.

Outside of David Paterson Elementary School parents spoke out as they dropped their kids off to class.

"They're very good teachers," Sebastian Jones said. "For them to hear that they might lose their jobs it's very sad. It's very sad for the community because everyone loves them here."

"I wouldn't want the school to shut down," Kacey Webster said. "My daughter really loves going here so I hope they can find a way to keep it."

The board did not say when they could decide on the next steps but faculty members who would be laid off have to be notified by May 30, according to their union contract.