The Jefferson County Board of Education is asking the community to comment on how to slash $35 million from the school budget over the next three years - cuts that likely will mean job losses.

Board Chairman Scott Benefield said the panel faces a difficult choice in making cuts because 86 percent of the budget is personnel costs.

"These are difficult cuts. They'll probably affect people's jobs," Benefield said.

The cuts are necessary after voters turned down a mill levy increase last month.

The district must slice an estimated $10 million from the budget for the 2009-10 school year. The remainder of the cuts will come during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.

The district has scheduled meetings in January at which various board members will hear from the community.

Comments also can be made through the school district Web site: jeffcopublicschools.org.

Benefield said the panel hopes to hear from all members of the community, including those who don't have children in the schools.

"We want to be sure we're doing what the community wants us to do," he said.

Community meetings

(all 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.)

Jan. 3

District 4, Jane Barnes, Belmar Public Library

Jan. 10

District 1, Scott Benefield, Arvada West High School

District 2, Sue Marinelli, Evergreen Public Library

District 3, Dave Thomas, Arvada Public Library

District 5, Rick Rush, Dakota Ridge High School