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Morgan County residents will decide on a school tax levy for the Stover district in April.

The school board decided Wednesday night to put the issue on the ballot.

This levy would be a $1.25 hike.  Superintendent John French says the district levy currently sits at the state minimum and has not been raised for 20 years. If approved the new levy would total $4 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Without it, French says the district would have to make drastic cuts. "About 84-85% of the district's budget comes from salaries and benefits. So in order to makes those drastic cuts, you're looking at laying off staff and possibly cutting benefits," warns French.

Money from the levy would pay to retain teachers, maintain school buildings and pay operating expenses.