More than 300 people filled the auditorium of Linton Middle School in Penn Hills for last night's public hearing on deep cuts in staffing, schools and services being proposed by the Penn Hills school board to balance the district's shaky finances.

Dozens of parents and current and former students spoke against the cuts, which include closing three of the district's six elementary schools, dropping the high school's vocational classes and eliminating the positions of about 80 custodians, teachers, guidance counselors and nurses.

The district has run deficits of $735,000 to $5.3 million over the past three years, and budget estimates predict a $5 million shortfall for the 2008-09 school year.

The school board is expected to vote on the cost-cutting measures Thursday at 7 p.m. in Linton's auditorium.