RICHMOND, Calif. -- A projected budget deficit of $7 million to $10 million next year may force the West Contra Costa Unified School District to shutter four elementary schools.

The schools that could be closed next fall -- Olinda Elementary in El Sobrante, El Sobrante Elementary, Fairmont Elementary in El Cerrito and Seaview Elementary in San Pablo -- all have low enrollment, school officials said.

Enrollment ranges from 290 students at Fairmont to 250 at Seaview, far short of the 450 to 800 students the district considers the ideal size for an elementary school.

"We would love to be able to afford small schools," said Vince Kilmartin, associate superintendent of operations. "But you know, it's awfully difficult in tough fiscal times to do that."

Many parents argue that the $1.1 million or so that the district envisions saving annually could be raised in other ways, such as corporate sponsorships.

The school board will meet with residents Nov. 4 to discuss the possible closures.

Earlier this year, a parcel tax and donations from benefactors helped close the district's current deficit from $16.5 million to $6.5 million. The district had slashed all high school athletics, laid off guidance counselors and closed its libraries, but most of those programs were saved.