Edison Local school district officials discussed a plan of action Saturday during an executive session meeting in case the November levy doesn't pass, according to Jefferson County school officials.

Board members said they wanted to have a backup plan in case they run into a deficit. Superintendent Bill Beattie told NEWS9's Briona Arradondo about some of the main concerns that were discussed.

"We had signed a lease with Chesapeake (Energy) with some of the land that we own in our district, and as of to this point we have not received our signing bonus," said Beattie. "If something were to happen, we're going to be facing a $300,000 deficit."

The school district has faced funding problems for years. Beattie said it has also run into other problems, such as losing "a little over $2 million in permanent operating funds."

Beattie said the district hasn't passed new money through a levy since 1976. If the Chesapeake deal takes too long and it doesn’t receive the bonus money by the end of the school year, Beattie said there needs to be a backup plan.

"We had a lot of discussions and a lot of things that we decided. We do have the opportunity to put on a 3-millbond issue in March," said Beattie.

Schools officials said they will not make any more cuts.
"We made the promise to the residents of Edison Local that we weren't going to make any additional cuts for this school year," said Beattie. "So, the only thing that we're implementing at this time is the pay to participate.” The pay-to-participate program requires students to pay a fee for athletics and other school activities.

Beattie said the operating costs are a main concern to keep the district running. If the November levy doesn't pass, they plan to submit a 9.45 mil levy, he said.