Referendum uncertain in Cary District 26

Voters may not get to decide whether to close a budget hole in Cary Elementary District 26 with new taxes after a key panel this week unanimously rejected going to referendum.

All three members of the District 26 Finance Committee agreed this week not to send a request for $2.5 million in new taxes to the full school board.

It is now up to Superintendent Brian Coleman and board President Dave Ruelle to decide whether the board should take up the issue at its Monday meeting.

Their decision may be irrelevant because a majority of the board has expressed doubt about pursuing a request for the February ballot, and several board members have questioned whether a tax increase has a realistic chance of passing in this trying economic climate.

"In this economy, especially considering all the taxes and fees people pay already, how can we go and ask them for more?" Finance Committee Chairman Chris Jenner said.

District 26 voters soundly rejected a request for $17 million in bonds in April.

Jenner and other board members say the board and administration need to focus on developing a list of cuts to close a budget gap expected to grow to $5 million by the end of next year.

"We're not in the position of 'Wouldn't it be nice?'" board President Dave Ruelle said. "It has to be addressed. Something has to be done."

The administration this week presented a list of about $5.4 million in proposed reductions, including eliminating art, music and the gifted program, increasing class sizes and scaling back physical education.

Jenner said the board and administrative team should look for compromise solutions that would save costs while retaining programs.

"Would you rather have no music at all, or would you rather have music with pianos wheeled into the classroom? Would you rather have no art, or have art on a cart?" Jenner said. "I'd rather keep part of a program than cut it altogether."

On Monday, the school board is expected to weigh in on the administration's proposal to close Maplewood Elementary School at the end of this year because of declining enrollment. The move, which gained the support of the finance committee this week, is expected to save nearly $900,000 annually.