Low tax collections leave Munster schools facing staff cuts

MUNSTER, Ind. (AP) - An Indiana school district already battling an $8 million deficit now says it will have to cut staff because of a sharp drop-off in tax collections.

Munster school Superintendent Jeff Hendrix tells The Times (http://bit.ly/1BkKRg2 ) that reduced tax collections in December left the district about $2.2 million short of the money it expected to receive.

The district typically collects 96 percent to 98 percent of the taxes levied. But because of appeals and unpaid taxes, the collection rate dropped to about 44 percent.

Hendrix says the result has been "catastrophic" for the district and will require cuts, beginning with non-certified staff members.

He says School Town of Munster officials have worked to identify cuts that will have the least impact on classrooms.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com