School District 60 officials in Pueblo say they're in the red by more than $5 million.

Officials say they'll have no choice but to cut teachers and programs before the next school year.

Part of the problem according to District 60 is enrollment.

They say it's been dropping consistently over the past four years.

And every year the waiting list for Pueblo charter schools, like Cesar Chavez Academy keeps growing.

The waiting list to get into Cesar Chavez Academy is in the thousands.

More than 3,000 children in Pueblo are waiting to be accepted.

Right now Cesar Chavez has more than 1,100 students and by next year they'll have an additional 550 kids.

D-60's Assistant Superintendent Carolyn Lueck says, that's causing public schools to suffer.

Lueck say, "The district has been challenged over the last 3 or 4 years with growth in charter schools."

Just this year the district has lost $1 million and here's why.

"Charter schools get 100% of the per pupil funding for every one of their students", says Lueck.

That leaves less money to go around for public schools.

Now, at least 13 teachers at D-60 will be fired.

That will end up putting more students in one classroom.

Founder of Cesar Chavez Academy, Dr. Lawrence Hernandez says, there's a reason parents are flocking to his school.

Dr. Hernandez says, "We have a highly committed staff that work very long hours and ensures that every child is successful and that's the goal."

And he expects their waiting list to get longer.

"This is where the action is, this is where the excitement in public education is happening", says, Dr. Hernandez.

By next year D-60 officials say the number of students attending charter schools will have more than doubled from last year.

Public school officials say they are in the process of figuring out a way to adjust.