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Citing a $132 million deficit that could force mass firings or a tax increase on Prince George's homeowners, state delegates are saying county school officials should reconsider moving to a new administrative headquarters.

"If I were the school board, I wouldn't be taking it on at this time," said Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly.

The county school board voted in June to leave its aging school headquarters in Upper Marlboro for a new office building closer to the Beltway. Officials have said the 10-year, $36 million lease for office space at the Washington Plaza office park located near Pennsylvania Avenue, will consolidate school departments and eventually save about $2.5 million a year in operations.

School board members said they will not reconsider their decision and emphasized that expenses will be spread out over the next decade.

"I think it's a little disingenuous to make people think that the county's budget will somehow be reduced by $36 million if the board reconsiders its position on consolidating," said board Vice Chairman Ron Watson (At large). "The purpose is to save money."

In addition to the lease, which will cost $3.6 million a year, school board documents state the switch will require "one-time" costs of $8 million to design the new offices, install furniture and equipment, and other moving needs. Officials plan to start moving later this year, said school spokesman John White.

Education officials have also proposed closing or consolidating 12 schools next year to balance enrollment and budgets — a decision that is continuing to raise objections from residents, said Del. Joanne C. Benson (D-Dist. 24) of Landover.

"I don't know about you all, but I have mounds and mounds of e-mails and phone messages about them spending $36 million on a new school building," Benson told a gathering of county lawmakers Friday in Annapolis. "That's the hot item. That and why they're shutting down these schools."

The debate took a new urgency last week when County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) said the county must raise property assessment caps on homeowners from 5 percent a year to 10 percent a year or terminate hundreds of police, fire, civilian and teaching jobs.

Eliminating the estimated $8 million in moving costs for the new building could reduce the county's projected $132 million deficit for next year by 6 percent.

Watson suggested legislators focus on other state actions that could recoup the costs, such as changing formulas that determine state aid for counties.

But cutting things like the new administration building are making more sense in the tighter budget, said Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-Dist. 21) of Beltsville.

"We all have to pull in our belts, like any family has to do in a financial crisis," Frush said.

Supporters have noted that the deal for the new building was a bargain for the system.

County school officials have the option to purchase the building at a guaranteed price that is $11 million under the appraised value, said a government source familiar with the contract.

"Any other year, this would be a victory for them," said the source.

White said centralizing school services is still a benefit to county parents and children.

"Parents would also want us to be responsive to their needs," White said. "If we can make services more convenient and cost-effective, it's worth the investment."

Watson said the new office space is for the good of the school system and county children.

"When you think about Prince George's County, the true economic stimulus package for this county is our school system," he said. "We need to continue to sustain the growth we have seen."