ATLANTA -- Atlanta teachers may have to take days off without pay, according to the city’s school superintendent.

Dr. Beverly Hall said Tuesday in her “state of the schools” speech that large budget shortfalls in the coming years may leave the district with tough choices, including closing schools.

Hall said the budget deficit could reach $50 million by 2011 and $100 million by 2012.

"Realistically, if we can't balance the budget, we will have to look to things like furloughing teachers," Hall said.

Hall, who said Atlanta's schools are making steady improvement, said that improvement could be severely threatened if the district can't find ways to shore up the deficit.

"If we have to cut teachers, it speaks for itself. They will be impacted," Hall said.

Hall blamed the anticipated gap on the recession and reduced funding from the state.

"We're going to have to look at how we cut back. We have to balance the budget. It's required," Hall said.

"I think (cuts) would be a disservice to the students," said parent Donna Winston.

Winston's son is a 10th grader at Grady High School. She and other parents who attended the speech said furloughs and increasing class sizes are bad ideas.

"Overcrowding would be a problem, furloughs would be a problem," Winston said.

"I hope they can work it out so my kid can get a good education," said parent Jeneiro Jackson.