IRVINE

Save music, arts and science programs. Keep counselors and health clerks. And don’t do away with athletics.

That’s the advice about 30 students, parents, teachers and residents gave to Irvine’s Board of Education at a public forum Tuesday.

Hosted jointly by trustees of the Irvine Unified School District and the district’s Finance Committee, district officials had organized the forum to hear residents’ suggestions on the pending budget cuts.

The board faces the grim task of cutting at least $4 million from its budget after voters narrowly rejected a flat $95 parcel tax last November.

The district has said that about 100 teachers are likely to lose their jobs as a result.