If Bay District gets rid of the agreement with Gulf County, Mexico Beach students will go to Rutherford High, Everitt Middle and Tyndall Elementary. As you can imagine, some parents are concerned about the change.
"My daughter is being bussed now 37 miles one way versus 13 miles that she's using to go where she's vice president of student government, in Beta Club, straight As, in band, and you want me to bus her 38 miles or drive her myself to a D school?" said Tonya Wood, a concerned parent.
Others also came in support of Gulf County schools.
"Overwhelmingly our community supports our kids going to the Gulf County school system and they have for many, many, many years," said Al Cathey, Mexico Beach Mayor.
It's not as easy as yes or no answer. Money is a major factor. Bay District School officials expect to have $12.8 million less to work with in fall 2008 than they started with in fall 2007.
"If everything was exactly the same I would leave everything exactly the same and would recommend exactly that, but we have to determine whether or not we're going to be able to do that with the budget constraints we are held," said James McCalister, Bay County School Superintendent.
Gulf County educators hope at least a compromise can be reached.
"Bottom line, if you guys have to cut a number out of your budget then we need to work with a new formula to try to work with Bay District Schools. If you're cutting 100 percent of it then we'll say thank you and walk out," said Tim Wilder, Gulf County School Superintendent.
Wilder and the Gulf County school board members are now going to try to come up with alternative plans that will satisfy both counties. Until then, McCalister is going to continue with the budget process and says he'll know within two weeks whether the agreement with Gulf will continue to be feasible next year.