(BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.) - The Baldwin County Board of Education says 6 schools will close if voters fail to pass a 1 percent sales tax increase next month.
Without that tax revenue, the school will be facing a $28 million dollar shortfall.
The schools on the chopping block: Stapleton Elementary, Delta Elementary, Swift, Elementary, Rosinton Elementary, and Elsanor Elementary, as well as the North and South Baldwin Tech Centers.
Bay Minette Elementary and Middle schools would have to be combined.
Close to 400 jobs may also have to be cut if that tax doesn't pass, according to the Baldwin County School System.
We asked Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee how serious the situation was.
"Even with the current 1 cent tax revenues, Baldwin County spends and amount that is 92nd out of 132 school in the amount we spend on our children," Dr. Lee says. "If that penny tax goes away...the 27 million dollars it generates will be devastating to our schools and our programs."
Lee reiterated that this is a renewal of a tax that's been generating revenue for schools for 2 1/2 years now.
"With that funding, we've been making moves to be economical...and provide things for students here that students don't have in many parts of the state, and many parts of the United States," explains Dr. Lee.
Local 15 will have more information about the list of closings and how that could all effect Baldwin County Schools coming up at 5:00 & 6:00 p.m.
