As the state Department of Education begins a lengthy process to consolidate its public school campuses, some principals from affected schools say there are likely to be emotional pleas by communities to prevent closures.

Education officials said Tuesday that 20 areas on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, the Big Island and Moloka'i will be examined for possible school mergers, citing anticipated budget cuts of as much as $70 million next year.

"Nobody wants to lose their school," said Sue Stock, principal of Kaelepulu Elementary in Kailua, whose campus was mentioned along with two other neighboring campuses for possible consolidation.

"We also realize that the state is having very serious economic problems," Stock said. "We also understand that it is more expensive to run a smaller school. But for us, we think it's more effective to run a smaller school."

Stock said it's unlikely parents or community members at her school or at neighboring Keolu Elementary and Enchanted Lake Elementary would support closing any of those schools.

"If you were to ask our parents and ask our staff, they will say absolutely not," Stock said.

But education officials say the cost of operating small schools has prompted them to push harder for closures and consolidations. The DOE has also been under political pressure for the past several years by state lawmakers concerned about the rising costs of repair and maintenance of underused schools.

"We annually survey the schools to determine classroom utilization," said Randy Moore, assistant superintendent of business services. "We know that there are way underutilized rooms."

Superintendents of school area complexes have been asked by state schools superintendent Patricia Hamamoto to establish task forces to examine potential consolidations and closures in areas where enrollment has been on the decline and schools are operating under capacity.

Wailupe Valley Elementary School, with 78 students, was included in the plan for possible merger with neighboring 'Aina Haina Elementary School.

Wailupe Principal Susan Okano, who previously served as principal at 'Aina Haina, said community input would be an important consideration when examining any possible closures or consolidations.

"This is our 50th anniversary year and there is a great deal of attachment to the school," Okano said.

Okano said she will try to keep community members and parents informed of the process.

"Their voices need to be heard," she said.

'Aina Haina principal Brendan Burns said the task force will have to consider the implications for his school if Wailupe were to close.

"Part of the discussion will be our facilities and whether we would have the space to take on these students," he said.

Burns also said that about 60 percent of Wailupe Valley students have "geographical exceptions" to attend the school, meaning they don't live within its neighborhood attendance boundaries. He said it is possible that many of those students will choose to go to school in their own neighborhood.

Lea Albert, superintendent of the Castle and Kahuku school area, said the various task forces will be organized within the next few weeks. She said the goal will be to get as much feedback from the community as possible.

The task forces will be made up of members of the community who are neutral and not necessarily connected with the school as well as parents and staff from affected schools, she said.

"My expectation will be that everyone's input will be treated with great sensitivity," she said.

Members of the task forces will have to consider school enrollment, whether facilities are being fully used and whether the schools nearby can accommodate displaced students.

Ultimately, the decision to close or consolidate schools will rest with the state Board of Education.

The earliest that board members will hear the results of the various studies would be at the end of the school year in June 2009, officials said.