LACEY, Wash. -- When Terry Shaw arrived at Timberline High School in Lacey seven years ago, the choir program consisted of just 37 students and 2 choir groups.

That same program is 160 students strong today, but Shaw could lose all of that if voters don't pass a $48.9 million replacement levy later this month.

"It's not exactly a happy thought because I love these students and I love being here," Shaw said.

Shaw got one of 70 pink slips the North Thurston Public Schools district sent to teachers last week -- about 9 percent of the total teaching staff. An additional 185 jobs will also be eliminated if the levy fails May 20th.

"You can speculate and hypothesize until the cows come home but when you get a letter that says you may not be employed next year, that kind of makes you think differently," Shaw said.

Levies pay for 16% of the district's $112 million budget. Voters rejected a replacement levy February 19th, creating a $17.8 million deficit.

Following that defeat, district officials trimmed the replacement levy from four years to two, and eliminated the technology levy altogether.

District spokesperson Courtney Schrieve says a double levy failure would put the district in a financial hole it hasn't experienced since 1994.

"It took 8 years to recover from that," said Schrieve. "We have heard some grumblings about 'oh, this is a scare tactic' but it's not. We have to do this in order to prepare for what voters may decide on May 20th."

The levy will cost an extra $100 per year, for a home worth $300,000. Homeowners currently pay about $549 a year.

Schrieve says a "No" vote would mean fewer teachers, cuts in art and music programs, and librarians. The cuts would affect all schools in the district. Athletes would be asked to pay an extra $200 or $300 to take part in sports.

Supporters of the school levy remain optimistic of their chances the second time around, but Timberline High alum Gary Hipfner says he is getting weary of another tax hike.

"I've already put my child through school. It's as simple as that," Hipfner said.

Student Jasmine Jordan and her choir classmates plan to rally voters to support the levy in the weeks leading up to the election.

"I have a younger sister who attends this school and I'm worried about her losing this program that we built for 4 years now," she said.

Shaw hopes voters look beyond the money.

"When you vote no for levies, the impact is on students. It's not on the lawmakers. Not on the administration, not on the school board," he said.

Officials say even if the levy passes, the district will have to make up a $3.8 million shortfall.