NEGAUNEE -- The Negaunee Public Schools are looking to cut the budget deficit for the 2009-10 school year.

Right now, according to Superintendent Jim Derocher, the district will be short by $710,000.

At Tuesday night's Board meeting, the School Board received 19 ideas designed to cut the deficit.  Among them:  longer school days resulting in a shorter school year, elimination of some positions, privatization of some services, pay freezes, and a reduction in athletics.

None of the suggestions was acted on.

Instead, the Board will conduct public forums in April looking for input and then hope to have a plan in place by May.