Some people shouted, while others cried about the one issue that they all dread: the closing of a school.

More than 100 people attended a public hearing Thursday at Saw Mill Road Elementary School regarding the shuttering of one of North Bellmore's six schools.

Many parents told the board that they felt a school closure was not in the best interest of the community and that other options should be explored.

Anthony Bifulco's daughter, Lauren, attends the Saw Mill School. He said that closing a school is simply unnecessary.

"I think they should keep a school open by raising tax revenue," he said. "I don't agree with any of this."

North Bellmore Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said that while the decision-making process hasn't been easy, "this is the best choice in a range of bad choices."

"It's painful for people who have to lose their jobs and for children and parents who have to deal with moving to different schools," Goldstein added.

On Nov. 16, the Committee to Explore Educational Options, a group comprised of parents, teachers and employees of all six schools in the district, voted to close Jacob Gunther Elementary School. Twelve out of the 21 members found that closing Gunther would be the best option.

The committee's vote was recommended to the school board at the public hearing and the members of the board said that they plan to announce which school will close at a meeting on Dec. 13.

In October, Goldstein said that the district needs to cut $1.8 million in costs and that enrollment has decreased since the 2004-05 school year. School officials said that the district could save money by closing one school and keeping kindergarten through sixth grade at each campus.

"Closing any school building would save $950,000," Goldstein said.

Francine Klein said her 4-year-old son, David, is looking forward to attending Gunther next year, but now there is a possibility that might not happen.

"They talk about closing Gunther because the numbers are low, but I live on Evelyn Avenue and there are more young kids in the neighborhood who would go to Gunther who are my son's age and younger," she said. "What about them?"

Goldstein said that even though closing a school is a hard decision, it is something that has to be done so even bigger financial problems don't occur later.

"We are entrusted to plan for the worst to educate your children," he said. "We have to think of the future."

The North Bellmore School Board meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Martin Avenue Elementary School at 8 p.m.