The Monmouth-Roseville School District used a forum Wednesday night to to ask the community for help.
During the gathering, Superintendent Ed Fletcher explained how declining financial support from the state is hurting local schools and led to the district's decision to put a tax rate hike referendum on the November ballot.
The referendum asks voters to approve a 75-cent increase in the education fund rate.
Fletcher said the increase could raise $857,869 in new revenues, which would help offset the loss in General State Aid. The district currently receives $734,315 less in GSA than it did in 2008.
Fletcher said it could be a "dire situation" if the referendum does not pass.
“To be honest, it could be quite bad if these issues at the state level don’t get solved and they cut General State Aid from our school districts, and I’m sure other school districts are in the same boat,” he said.
Fletcher added the expiration of the state’s temporary income tax increase could become a factor. Unless lawmakers extend it, the income tax hike will expire January 1.
“The state’s looking at losing over a billion dollars in revenues,” he said of the income tax. “So I have no doubt it’s going to affect school districts and could affect us greatly.”
Fletcher pointed out the state also faces lawsuits over its pension reform plan. He feared retirement costs for teachers will be shifted to local school districts if courts strike down the reforms.
Fletcher said there is not a lot more the district can do cut spending, adding that "something has to give" if the district's referendum fails. He said cuts could be made to athletics and extracurricular activities, and working cash bonds could be issued as a short-term solution.