BAY MINETTE — The Baldwin County Board of Education made a push in support of its upcoming 1-cent tax referendum Thursday, spelling out the specific needs for the tax hike even as superintendent Faron Hollinger chaired his final meeting for the system.

Hollinger will step down from his post on Dec. 31. The board unanimously approved the temporary appointment of assistant superintendent JaNay Dawson to its schools superintendent spot. Lester Smith, director of human resources, will be interim assistant superintendent. Dawson and Smith will assume the roles Jan. 1.

Board members have said they hope to have a permanent replacement named by March.

The proposed 1-cent tax hike will go before the public in a March referendum. In the first of what will be numerous public pitches between now and then, the board made a public push for the tax at its regular meeting Thursday.

The Baldwin County Commission unanimously voted on Tuesday to put a vote for the tax hike before the public.

“I think we have to get a personalized story out to people who don’t really know what’s going on in the schools,” board president Tracy Roberts said. “For somebody that lives in Robertsdale, they need to know about all the great things going on in Robertsdale schools and how that may change if we don’t get the 1-percent sales tax increase.”

Smith gave a detailed presentation at the meeting, outlining the steps at the state level that put Baldwin County Schools millions of dollars in the red, including steep proration and staff reductions.

Since 2007, Smith said, Baldwin County Schools has cut from 454 staff members funded on the local level to 140. If the March tax referendum does not pass, he said, more cuts will be necessary.

“The reality is that if we do not get some additional revenue from the state or county we’re going to have to reduce even more and take severe measures in several areas,” Smith said.

Hollinger was given a resolution of appreciation during the meeting for his work as county superintendent. A search firm to find his permanent replacement has been approved by the board.

“Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I’ll be on your side working with you to make sure we get that tax passed,” Hollinger said. “That’s necessary.