KAPOLEI, Hawaii -- Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to cut millions from Hawaii's public schools has parents and teachers worried.

The governor is unable to impose furloughs on public schoolteachers because the schools are independent of the executive branch. However, Lingle said she will withhold an equivalent amount of money from the schools to help make up the savings she needs to balance the budget.

The details are not known yet, but Hawaii's public schools are going to be slammed with budget cuts.

When you count the furlough equivalent and other cuts the Legislature made, schools over the next two years will be facing cuts of close to $500 million.

Kapolei Middle School's 1,500 students gathered Wednesday to celebrate the school's 10th anniversary.

Michelena Awana is a single parent with two children at Kapolei.

"I am very concerned. I want to know what I can do as a parent, a citizen, a member of the community. We are in tough times," Awana said.

Kapolei Middle School will begin to feel the upcoming budget cuts immediately because it is a year-round school.

Both teachers and parents say the worst part is waiting to see which parts of the school's budget will have to be cut.

After the Board of Education meets Monday, more will be known about public education budget cuts.

The governor said there is a way for schools to cope: volunteerism.

"I think there are a lot of people who are retired, who would come into the schools if asked and lend some assistance. That won't make it exactly the way it was but these are challenging times," Lingle said.

Kapolei Middle School Principal Annette Nishika said that with 98 percent of her budget needed for personnel and basic needs there is little left.

"If we have to cut we are really going to have to search we are down to bare bones already," Nishika said.

Teacher Peggy Pavao was stoic.

"We will make due with what we have that's all we can do. That's what teachers have done for years," Pavao said.

Some parents KITV spoke with said they know now they are going to have to be helping their child more with their schoolwork.