Sales Tax Hike For Baldwin County?

Baldwin County school leaders hope a boost in local sales tax will spare them from more budget cuts.

Superintendent Faron Hollinger says the school system is facing a 38 million dollar funding crisis because state revenues are down.
He says the school system is preparing for an additional 13 millon dollar deficit due to a decline in local funding.

Board members hope the Baldwin County Commission could help by levying a 1 percent sales tax increase for two years.
School officials say if they don't get the funding they need soon, there could be more layoffs and cuts to school programs.
"We've cut absolutely to the bare minimum that we can to protect the integrity of the system. [So] we're looking at some drastic measures,"Said Superintendent Hollinger.

Baldwin County board members will meet with the county commission next Tuesday to discuss the measure.