With the defeat of Measure 30, South Coast educators have begun looking for ways to mitigate revenues that are earmarked for state cuts.

Before Tuesday's vote, the Legislature had pledged to make sure this school year was fully funded. But that won't be the case for the 2004-05 school year.

North Bend School District Superintendent Jim Howard said his district is looking at $2.1 million in budget cuts for next year. While the majority of that ($1.3 million) is from Measure 30 reductions, Howard said the remainder of the loss is due to a declining student population and inflation costs.

"We lost $503 per student," Howard said of Measure 30's effect.

Now, he said, the board will need to decide whether to try to lessen the impact on students by making some reductions - such as fewer school days - this year or put the cuts off until 2004-05.

"So do we do all (the cuts) next year?" Howard asked rhetorically. "No."

The superintendent said he and the school board have been discussing the possibilities for the last few months.

"We haven't really talked specific," he said.

Howard's preliminary plans anticipate closing North Bend schools for 11 days this year and 25 days in the 2004-05 school year.

"I'm trying to lower it to eight days for this year," he said, adding he also is looking for ways to reduce the 25 days next year.

"Right now, (cutting school days) is what it takes to balance the budget," he said, adding that other areas being discussed for potential budget reductions are cutting the number of teachers, administrators and other school and district staff.

"We're going up and down the list," he said. "It's grim - especially in light of the fact that we have cut $5 million over the last four years. It's awfully difficult, but we play the cards we're dealt."

The North Bend School Board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the district office to discuss the issue again. The topic also is likely to surface later that night at the board's regular monthly meeting, which is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the council chambers at North Bend City Hall, 835 California St.

The board will hold another meeting on Tuesday to continue its discussion of Measure 30's effects on the district.