KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- "It's a very difficult time for Knox County Schools."

Indya Kincannon is the Board of Education Chair, and while K-5 will gain two positions, 30 will be eliminated from middle and high schools.

"Those are painful ideas to talk about but we have a 19-million dollar budget gap and we'll have to bridge that gap somehow," Kincannon told WVLT.

High schools expected to take hits are Farragut and South-Doyle with five each, four at Gibbs and one at Fulton. Middle schools are Bearden with six, and two each at Karns and West Valley. Of all the schools facing cuts, only Karns had an increase in enrollment from 2004, up nearly 200 students.

"I'm willing to listen to any kind of alternatives and creative ideas, but it's going to be painful," said Kincannon.

At Hardin Valley Academy, the Knox County School's budget calls for the hiring of 13 additional teachers. That's because 500 new students are expected here next year."

"I know that at the beginning of the school year, the kids,some of them, in some of the classes had to sit on the floor until they were able to hire more teachers. Some of the science classes, the teachers have to share a classroom," said Hardin Valley parent Astrid Turner, addressing what she calls overcrowding at Hardin Valley Academy.

Kincannon said "A couple of years ago people were like why'd you build this school, It's going to be empty for years."

Whether some of the anticipated hires at Hardin Valley will come from the other four schools facing cuts is not known. What is known. $20M has to be shaved from next year's budget."

"Even with 30 positions, that's not even 2-million dollars, so we're going to have to make sure everything's on the table. Look at things as much as possible outside the classroom," Kincannon, said.