When voters passed the November referendum, District 241 officials breathed a sigh of relief. One month later they wait, with baited breath, again.

&uot;We’re anxiously waiting to hear from the January legislative session,&uot; Superintendent Dave Prescott said. &uot;The community has stepped up to the plate, but now we have to wait for the state to make their decision.&uot;

Prescott said he hopes the state will give a cost-of-living increase to the district budget, which he says ranges from 2.5 to 3 percent.

Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty campaigned with a focus on education and has said he will support education.

Prescott is not sure what that will mean in solving the budget crisis.

&uot;They can say they won’t make any cuts, but no cost-of-living increases can in effect be cuts,&uot; Prescott said.

No matter the cut, Prescott said the district will follow through with the additions the referendum were said to bring, such as all-day, every-day kindergarten and smaller class sizes.

He warned, though, that without cost-of living-increases, these programs may fade out within the next few years.