The Dawson County Board of Education has scheduled several public hearings this month on a proposed tax hike.

The school board recently announced its intention to raise property taxes by 3.25 percent over the rollback millage rate to help offset a projected $300,000 budget deficit for the coming year.

School Superintendent Keith Porter said the continued loss of state funding, coupled with a lower tax digest, has left the board with no other options.

A tax exemption for seniors, which voters approved in November, further reduced funding for the system, according to the school board.

"We're trying to really cut our expenses to make our budget work," he said.

School officials began bracing for the drop in tax revenue months ago by trimming their budgets.

Cuts have included fewer teacher, staff and student days, as well as reductions in employee and retirement benefits.

To read the full story, click here.