Officials in Nanaimo have recommended the closure of four local schools as a $1.2-million budget shortfall looms over the struggling district.

The schools recommended to be closed include Rutherford Elementary, Departure Bay Elementary, Woodlands Secondary School and North Cedar Intermediate School.

The schools would close their doors for good on June 30, 2016.

The district says it has to find more than $1-million in cost savings for the 2016-17 budget year – and that closing and consolidating schools in the city is the only way to create financial sustainability.