EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Paying to play on athletics teams and cuts to school bus routes are things the Superintendent of East Palestine City Schools said will be considered if the income tax levy doesn't pass in November.

The 2nd Annual State of the Schools Address was held in the high school auditorium Wednesday evening.

The superintendent explained the reality the district is facing should the .5 percent earned income tax levy doesn't pass next month.

"We could look at things like pay to participate and state minimum busing," said Superintendent Chris Neifer. "Again, just some reduction in some of the different programs and staff."

For a medium-income level of about $50 thousand, it would end up costing about $250 over the course of a year. This would generate more than $600 thousand for East Palestine City Schools on an annual basis.

Some parents, like Stephanie Moore, said they are in favor of the levy. Her 9-year-old is a soccer player and takes the bus every day to school.

"My only option is to take her to the daycare in town, and the bus won't stop there if they cut it," said Moore. "Which means then I would be left with no other option than to put her in a different school, and I don't want to have to do that."

The superintendent said open enrollment and the state's funding formula have all contributed to their difficult financial state.