BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Kern High School District's budget shortfall could get drastically worse if voters do not approve the six measures on the May 19 special election ballot, officials said Monday night.

As is stands now, the KHSD is projected to be $22 million in the red for the 2009-10 school year, Superintendent Don Carter said. Further reductions in funding and rejection of the ballot measures could make that figure in excess of $42 million, a reduction of almost $1,200 per student, he said.

The district finalized cuts to 81 full-time certificated positions, including teachers and counselors. Another 13 full-time positions were eliminated in the district's transportation department.

In other district news:

-The board announced that Liberty High School's FFA program would be kept around, but only for the students currently enrolled in the program. New students would not be allowed to enroll, according to Associate Superintendent Joe Thompson.

-Trustees recognized faculty and staff who recently won accolades for their work in the classroom, including Mary Alice Orrin, recognized by the state Association of Directors of Activities for her work at Arvin High School, and Teresa Casallas, who won the 2009 Kern County Teacher of the Year award presented by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office.