Parents and teachers in one of Long Island's largest school districts are planning to meet tonight to voice their concerns as Sachem school officials weigh the possibility of shutting down an elementary school to close a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

Last week, district officials said they were considering several options to close that $6.5 million budget deficit which they attributed to inflation and a lack of state aid. However, data shows Sachem is projected to receive $1 million more in state funding next school year.

Closing Merrimac Elementary School would save the district $2 million and could generate roughly $600,000 in revenue if the building is rented out.

According to New York Education Department law, the district had to notify the state by March 1 if it anticipated closing a school building, which it did.

In a letter to the community, Sachem Superintendent of Schools Patricia Trombetta stressed the decision was not final and would not be until a budget is adopted next month.

The board of education is also considering other options including increasing elementary class size by two students to save $800,000, eliminating middle school clubs and late busses to save $740,000, eliminating combined middle school sports like gymnastics, swimming and tennis to save $42,100 and combining junior varsity and varsity sports teams to save roughly $1 million.

The district is also considering closing a middle school to save $3.2 million and generate $1.5 million in rental income.

The board anticipates adopting a budget by April 9 ahead of the May 20 vote.

Tonight's PTA meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Merrimac Elementary School cafeteria.

PTA members say Sachem Superintendent of Schools Patricia Trombetta is expected to attend and address parents' concerns.