CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Elmira City School Board took big steps in the ongoing process of trying to close a $10 million budget gap. Wednesday night, the school board approved cuts to both district efficiencies and BOCES spending, totaling about $2.2 million.

After last week's recommendation of more than 100 teacher layoffs, Superintendent Joe Hochreiter laid out further possible reductions in special education services and facility usage. Hochreiter also challenged the district staff to make concessions if they want to save teacher's jobs.

"There is $2 million, if not more of savings, if people step up together and say that they'll give back, they'll pay more in health insurance, they'll take a salary freeze. That hasn't happened yet. Yet, we read newspaper headlines everyday across the state that certain unions, teacher unions, administrative unions, bus driver unions have done that," said Superintendent Hochreiter.

The district plans on holding more budget forums in April to allow the public a chance to voice their concerns and offer solutions.