PIERCETON - During Monday night's Whitko School Board meeting, a tax levy referendum was approved.

Superintendent Steve Clason explained that while the corporation has cut more than $1 million in its budget through staff reductions and other measures, there is a forecast from that state that Whitko may have to cut another $500,000 in 2011.

"That would be another 10 or so teachers for us to cut," said Clason. "And we don't have another 10 teachers to cut. People say cut administration but administration is already short-staffed."

Clason said without the relief of a tax levy, which the board voted to be 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, "we would have a debt for the taxpayers."

The superintendent also said other drastic measures may have to be taken if the referendum doesn't pass in November.

Clason mentioned, as worse-case scenarios, closing one of the elementary schools, issuing pay cuts to teachers and increasing the amount for pay-to-play.

"I don't think we have a choice," said board president Roger Boggs.

The board passed the referendum unanimously, and after a series of steps will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.