LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Colorado's largest school district is facing a huge challenge -- what's the best way to teach the children without breaking the bank.

Jefferson County schools has to cut upwards of $40 million over the next two years. On Wednesday night, parents will get to weigh in on what's on the table. There is a public hearing at Alameda High School in Lakewood beginning at 6:30 p.m.

One proposal is to close a nearby middle school and send those seventh and eighth graders to Alameda High School.

A 30-member Facilities Usage Committee has spent the last eight months studying how things are working in the district and what might save money.

Four middle schools are being eyed for possible closure -- O'Connell, Carmody, Arvada and Ken Caryl -- and five elementary schools are possibly on the chopping block: Russell, Foster, Pleasant View, Pennington and Martensen.

Even so, the superintendent told 7NEWS while there are 45 ideas being considered for what to change, they have no preconception as to which will work best.

"As far as structure goes we really are not advocating any structure. We are looking at, if we do this, can we save significant dollars and can we do it in a way without disrupting the community?" said JeffCo Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson.

Because of the large crowd expected at the public hearing Wednesday night, the district is limiting public comment to two minutes a person. There will be at least three more community meetings slated in the next week.

The process Jefferson County is going through is something school districts throughout Colorado are facing, as funding is cut due to state budget shortfalls.

Information about the proposals and public meetings is available at Jeffco Public School's Web site.