Citizen committee recommends GISD tax ratification election

In the last two years the district has cut more than $7 million from its budget due to funding reductions from the state and federal government, he said.

The 4-cent tax increase would raise nearly $2.2 million for the district, which would help cover a nearly $600,000 deficit in the 2012–13 budget, said Steve West, GISD's Interim chief financial officer.

Lee said additional monies raised with the increased tax could help fund needed transportation and technology costs or teacher raises; however, the money would most likely be put in the fund balance until the district knows the future of education funding in the state Legislature.

"We feel confident that [the 4 cents] will carry us through the next two years," Lee said. "We are not going to spend this additional money until we know what our financial future is going to be. We're not going to spend it all this year and be in this situation again."

Lee said if the 4 cents were not approved, the district would have to make additional budget reductions.