NORFOLK - Without the Proposition 21/2 override, the school committee is weighing options for additional budget cuts to reconcile a $148,000 shortfall.

An assistant principal, two Spanish teachers and a health teacher were already cut from the budget, and two full-time classroom teachers retired.

School committee member Dean Manning told the board those positions will not be filled, affecting classroom sizes for the upcoming year.

Other options for further cuts include imposing a transportation fee within two miles of school, reducing bus expenses by restructuring routes and cutting the library program.

"(Imposing a bus fee) is something, in my own opinion, that is inevitable, whether it's this year or next year," Manning said. "Do we take this painful step, or do we cut programs?" The committee encouraged community feedback on the bus fee, as well as suggestions for budget cuts.

Committee chairman Ross Gilleland asked residents to provide suggestions by Monday for consideration.

The school committee Web page can be accessed from the town's Web site, www.virtualnorfolk.org.