LIBERTY, Mo. -- The Liberty School District is proposing major cuts as a way to deal with budget problems, and parents and students are concerned.

A long list of budget cut proposals were presented to the school board this week. The list includes a 15 percent cut in the athletic budget and 50 percent in the arts budget, which would cut the arts funding by $400,000, KMBC's Jere Gish reported.

The possible cuts include a fifth-grade orchestra program and a staff coordinator.

Students involved in the programs say the proposed cuts are too deep.

"I was angry. Very, very angry," one Liberty student said.

"It's kind of overwhelming thinking that we're going to be cutting so much in the program," student Elizabeth Stander said.

Gish reported that the arts programs in the Liberty School District are considered the best in the state.

"It seems like we've done a lot of work, we've proved our worth, and we're the first to get cut anyway," student Lucas Mobberley said.

Administrators said they have no choice.

"As we look at surrounding school districts and what they spend on fine arts, we're significantly higher than most school districts," Interim Superintendent Mike Brewer said.

Athletic programs were cut by 10 percent this year, and the proposal calls for another 15 percent cut.

Currently, the district's art budget is more than $800,000, compared to $380,000 for sports.

Even after the cuts, the budget for arts will be significantly higher than the athletics budget.

"I would just like the board to look at the other alternatives so we can keep our arts program the way it is. It's doing so well -- it's winning so many awards. I'd hate to see it go," Liberty parent Lisa Anetsberger said.

Parents plan to voice their concerns about the budget cuts at the next school board meeting.