Officials say the plan would be a one-time savings of upwards of $2.8 million.

PORTLAND, Maine — UPDATE: This story has been updated to correct a widely-reported $2.8 billion savings to $2.8 million savings.

Portland Public Schools are looking into a plan that would reconfigure the city's 18 schools.

The Enrollment and Facility Study Commission (EFS) published a proposal that would combine two of the city's high schools and consolidate or re-district the city's elementary schools.

"Even though you might reconfigure the actual locations, you’re still ultimately providing services to the same number of kids with the same needs," said Xavier Botana from Portland Public Schools. “The community has asked us to look for ways to create efficiencies and this is, of all of the options we’ve looked at, achieves the largest efficiencies.”

Portland High School and Deering High School would combine to serve grades 9-12. The high school buildings would then potentially become a junior high school for grades 7-9, according to the proposal.

Casco Bay High School would not be impacted.

PPS says 30 to 45 teachers’ jobs could be on the chopping block. “I don’t like the idea of getting rid of three dozen teachers either. I don’t think the commission likes that idea,” said Botana.

The EFS Commission voted on Feb. 14 to recommend the reconfiguration "only if necessary" in the event of a large budget shortfall.

The Commission said it would result in a one-time savings of at least $2.8 million dollars.