Hundreds of Lawrence officials packed into Plymouth Congregational Church in Downtown Lawrence on Monday night to discuss the impending closure of the Lawrence SRS office, to save money in the wake of state budget cuts.

State leaders said their comments would be taken to SRS officials in Topeka, but SRS officials said earlier that there would be no reversal of the decision.

“I wish it were different,” Siedlecki said. He said closing nine SRS offices, including Lawrence, was like asking a family which child they would be willing to sacrifice.

SRS officials declined to attend the community forum, though they were invited.