RALEIGH - To save money, Wake County schools might have to cut programs and services that parents and students now take for granted, according to a report Wednesday by a committee charged with cutting school construction costs.

The recommendations for new schools include cutting the number of parking spaces and eliminating certain sports. The committee also recommended limiting renovations to older schools. The question facing Wake County residents is how much they are willing to pay to continue offering these services when billions of dollars will be needed in the coming years just to keep up with growth.

"Wake County is providing more than is required," said John Mabe, co-chairman of the committee that made the recommendations. "If we want to do the things that are not required, we have to pay for it."

Tony Gurley, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said the community will need to make hard decisions. The commissioners and the school board, formed the Citizens' Facilities Advisory Committee.

"The community will be ready to accept some change," Gurley said. "The community has reached a point where they realize we don't have an unlimited amount of money to build schools."

Under the recommendations, schools would cut sports such as tennis and wrestling. Schools would also limit the number of high school students allowed to drive to school.

The committee said reducing parking spaces would save a lot of money because construction and land costs bring the cost of each parking space to about $2,500.

Committee members suggested encouraging carpooling and public transportation as alternatives. Most high schools don't have enough spaces for all the students who want to drive to school.

"In the short run, kids would be angry about it because it's a milestone to be able to drive to school," said Wakefield High School senior Amanda Kouri. "But kids will have to get used to it."

Other students said carpooling would take some of their freedom.

"We have that privilege that makes us feel independent," said Wakefield High junior Candice Medeiros. "We've been waiting a long time to drive."

The change would affect teachers as well.

"I'm all for carpooling for environmental reasons," said Michelle Engdahl, a social studies teacher at Leesville Road High School, "but, logistically, I think it would be difficult for teachers if they don't live in the same neighborhood, and we don't always leave at the same time."

The committee also took aim at athletics. The committee recommended that the district reconsider offering weight lifting, wrestling and tennis, among other "expanded athletic options."

"It wouldn't be fair to not have tennis," said Leesville Road junior Vira Ayzenbart, who is on the school's tennis team. "Everyone loves football, and tennis is not appreciated."

The committee recommended that new middle schools have combined cafeterias and auditoriums instead of separate facilities. The district has resisted the idea, arguing that a separate auditorium is needed for a good performing arts program.

Existing schools weren't spared.

The committee said renovations for health and safety and adding capacity should be priorities. But the group recommended eliminating renovations designed to add amenities just to keep pace with new schools.

Mother Lynn Lang said upgrading old schools isn't that big a deal as long as the school is safe. She has two children at Washington Elementary School in Raleigh, one of the oldest schools in the county.

"Does it have all the bells and whistles of a newer school?" Lang said. "No. But it has a great program."

The committee's findings weren't unanimous. Terry Stoops complained he wasn't allowed to submit a minority report questioning a decision not to rely on a consultant's report that said Wake was spending more than other districts do to build schools.

Mabe, the co-chairman, said the consultant's report wasn't used more because no one could say specifically how those other districts were spending less.

With a school construction bond referendum possibly coming as soon as next fall, the committee's recommendations could influence what goes to voters.

"We need to get the community involved in this," said school board Chairwoman Rosa Gill. "We want the community to respond."