As the April 1 special election nears, Lawrence school district officials want to make sure the public knows what’s at stake.

“Basically what we’re trying to do is answer the questions that we frequently get asked,” Linda Robinson, school board president, said of the information posted on the district’s Web site, www.usd497.org.

Voters will consider whether the board can increase its local-option budget by about $679,000 for the 2008-2009 school year. The money mostly would fund salary increases.

School districts can supplement state funding – known as the general fund – by tapping into local property taxes. It’s called the local-option budget, or LOB. Lawrence board members hope to raise the LOB to the maximum amount allowed by law – 31 percent of the general fund, which would be a 1 percent increase from the current 30 percent.

According to the district, the 1 percent increase would equal about a half-mill increase; a mill is $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed valuation. So, it would be an extra $1.15 per month or $13.80 per year for the owner of a $200,000 home.

Lawrence Superintendent Randy Weseman said the district expects to receive about $2.1 million more in state funding for the 2008-2009 school year than the year before. But about $1 million must be used for certain purposes, like special education and to benefit at-risk students.

So, that leaves about $1.1 million for the board to allocate for salaries and other requests.

Most board members hope the extra LOB money would give them more to offer the Lawrence Education Association in current contract negotiations. LEA leaders have said they support the increase.

Board members also have mentioned using some of the money to fund mental health services and other requests on the table, like the aging Lawrence High School band uniforms. But board members don’t officially decide their budget until later in the year.

Advance voting for the election begins March 12 at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. To participate in the election, voters who live in the district must register by March 17.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 1.