As the state Department of Education considers how to cut an additional $9.2 million from its budget, it must look at all its options.

That includes athletics, which is facing a proposed $1 million cut for coaching positions. But one recommendation, to eliminate junior varsity sports, reveals in stark terms how painful cuts can be.

About 6,000 students participate in JV programs. And while some advance to the varsity level, many won't. For them, JV represents their only opportunity to participate in an organized school sport.

If the DOE believes in the educational value of its athletics programs — and apparently it does, to the tune of $13.3 million a year — those programs should be as inclusive as possible.

There's no question athletics programs must share the budget pain. The DOE's primary mission is to improve student performance in the classroom, not in sports venues. The latest test scores, released Thursday, show there's still much work to be done to meet the federal No Child Left Behind mandates.

Nonetheless, school officials have some flexibility in determining how this $1 million cut is made. Perhaps some varsity coaches can be redeployed, or unaffected programs restructured to accommodate more student-athletes.

For athletic directors facing tough choices, business as usual won't work; but creative, even unconventional solutions may. It's worth the effort.