In the two months since the Metropolitan School District of Boone Township lost its appeal to voters for additional funding, the district has reduced both teachers and programs, the superintendent said.
During a May special election, the school district asked voters to increase property tax payments by 23 cents per $100,000 of assessed valuation to raise $530,000 a year for seven years.
Voters said no by four votes, 547 to 543 .
Superintendent George Letz said a failed referendum has been a loss for students.
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"People are disappointed that we lost by just four votes, but this is what we've been dealt," Letz said.
"In a rural community like Hebron -- with a low assessed value and a community that doesn't have light industry, which would cause the tax rate to go down -- it's difficult to pass a referendum."
In addition to the district's recent cost-cutting measures, Letz said the board also voted to restructure its $11.4 million bond issue used to help finance the new high school in 2003.
Boone Township was one of seven school districts across the state, including School Town of Munster and Union Township School Corp., that appealed directly to voters this year for more money in light of reduced state support.
The referendums passed in Munster and Union Township.
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