SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Nearly 1,600 teachers could lose their jobs as Orange County's 28 school districts scramble to find ways to cut from their operating budgets amid a mounting state budget crisis.

The school districts must develop plans to slash about $204 million, or 5 percent, from their budgets.

They said they've mulled options including laying off teachers, increasing class size, cutting security guards and eliminating music programs.

State law requires that school districts approve budgets in June, but they must give layoff notices to teachers in danger of losing their positions by March 15.

Cypress Superintendent Sheri Loewenstein said her district might need to close a school in 2009 in anticipation of a $1.6 million deficit.