INDIANAPOLIS -- The Franklin Township Community School Corp. anticipates big changes ahead after voters resoundingly defeated a referendum that would've provided an infusion of $9 million to the school.

Superintendent Dr. Walter Bourke said Wednesday that cuts will be made in all areas and will affect students at all levels, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

Teachers and bus drivers will be let go, Bourke said, and some school bus routes will be eliminated. Additionally, some schools may close and cuts to athletics programs could be made.

Bourke said that the margin of defeat sent a clear message that voters want the school system to balance its budget with the revenue currently available.

"Everything is on the table as this process begins," Bourke said. "We are going to be making up about $3 million in our general fund, and that's a minimum, and about $6 million in property tax-supported shortfall."

Bourke said he anticipates that when school starts in 2010, transportation will be drastically different, with a minimum of 30 percent fewer routes and drivers.

"Whether we charge people, which some of that may be taken care of in determining what routes to cut, or if we simply cut to 30 percent, we'll just draw whatever circles around the schools that create no-ride zones and go from there," Bourke said.

Teaching positions will also be cut, but the exact amount remains to be seen.

"With $3 million, that's the equivalent of 60 teaching positions. We hope to minimize the impact on teachers and look for cuts everywhere," Bourke said. "There will be a pretty large number of teachers that will have to be reduced in this process."

The district said teacher cuts will translate into larger class sizes in all schools, a change parent Michelle McConnell said is disheartening in a district that has built several new schools in recent years.

"Since we've been here, they've opened another middle school, another intermediate school, two elementary schools, so I think it's just over the top," McConnell said. "It's a wonderful place to live. Something has just got to give."

The school board will determine specifically what cuts will be made. Their next meeting is Nov. 23.