Carroll ISD trustees will be headed back to the drawing board in the coming weeks to discuss options for reducing expenditures and increasing revenue after voters rejected a 2-cent increase to the tax rate.

Voting for this weekend's special election kicked off Aug. 28 and lasted through Sept. 11 before Election Day Sept. 15. Overall, nearly 59 percent of voters turned down the measure that would have generated an additional $1.1 million for the district.

Of the district's more than 20,000 registered voters, only 2,240 voted on the TRE. The nays got an early lead, with those opposed to the tax outvoting those in support by more than a 2 to 1 margin during early voting. Ultimately, only 919 voted for the proposed tax while 1,321 voted against.

The district now faces a $3.9 million deficit for the 2012-13 school year. Options before the board to fill the gap this year include pulling money from fund balance, changing student schedules, increasing class size, restructuring district programs and selling surplus land. Trustees will canvass the election results at their meeting next Monday.

For more information on the CISD budget, visit www.carrollbudget.com.