ITHACA -- During winter break, teachers and their families from across the state are descending upon the city of Ithaca. An estimated 4,000 teachers are expected to attend a week-long series of events and activities including shopping, wine tasting, spa resorts as well as conferences on the state of education in New York.

One of the topics of discussion is Governor Cuomo's proposed cuts to education. The governor's executive budget calls for a $1.5 billion reduction in school aid for the 2011-2012 year, and a $2.8 billion reduction the following year. The cuts are expected to result in thousands of layoffs at school districts, and cuts to educational programs.

Teachers who talked with CNY Central's Jim Kenyon are bracing for the worst.   "I'm sure there's going to be teacher cuts." Ruth Potts, a teacher from Enfield said,  "What kind of damage? bigger classrooms? My school...is going to hurt a lot."

Several teachers see the need to cut taxes and spending,  but not at the expense of education.  Lisa Cochran, a teacher from Dryden said,  "Before I became a teacher which was just a few years ago, I didn't want to increase my taxes either."   She added however, "I never really understood what the impact was as far as education and to the kids"...until she became a teacher.

Special education teacher Nicole Dauria said,  "Hnestly our taxes are too high and our expenses in this state compared to others are really high, so we have to make changes."

Dauria said however she is "concerned about the impact it will have on students and teaching. I think there are ways to cut our resources in terms of spending and be more effective."