Carthage School Budget

One local school district is bracing for more budget cuts. Tuesday night was the first of three public forums to talk with the community about options, including a possible tax levy increase. More than 100 residents came out to talk about ways to cut the budget. Almost 2-million dollars was cut from the districts budget this year. And next year they are expecting another 2 and a half million dollars cut. Superintendent Dr. Gary Reed says they are looking at three different options to balance the budget. Including continuing to deficit-spend and deplete money in reserves, cut school programs, including athletics, or ask voters to pick up a larger portion of the cost. Dr. Reed says a levy may be the only choice. He says the only way to even out the budget would be to approve a 50-cent tax levy, but they are looking at other options. Some residents say they support the levy. Two more public meetings are being held. The first this Thursday at 7-p-m at the Fairview Cafeteria, and the last is next Monday at 7, at the Columbian Gymansium. The board hopes to make a final decision by the 26th of this month in order to place the levy on the ballot in April. Reported By: Courtney Cullor