ADAMS TWP — More than 50 parents, teachers and students attended Tuesday night’s Mars School Board meeting to show their support for programs that could end up on the chopping block as the administration prepares the 2012-13 budget.

The district faces a $2.5 million deficit in next year’s budget, but has not yet announced any tax increase or program cuts to close the funding gap.

Some of potential cuts Superintendent William Pettigrew shared with teachers during contract negotiations have been made public, which initiated the large public attendance at the past two board meetings.

Lisa Barber, a Mars parent and a French teacher in another school district, told the board the district ranked 43rd academically among the 500 school districts in the state in a Pittsburgh Business Times list.

She said several grades showed significant improvement over last year in the ranking, meaning Mars’ curriculum and programs are working.

“Please reconsider any cuts you might be thinking about making,” Barber said. “We’re right where we want to be, growing and vital. Why would we want to cut programs now?”

Barber also decried any cuts in the high school French program because the language is the most frequently taught after English.

“It would certainly be a big mistake to cut French from our curriculum, and a big disservice to our students in French right now,” Barber said.

She also disagreed with any consideration of cutting special programs such as art, music, physical education or health in the lower grades.

Parent Carmelina Vargo agreed, and told the board that some students need special programs to succeed and to meet their goals.

“We grew up with the basics plus specials, and it would be a disservice to take them away from my children or any children.”

Louis Rocco said his young family moved to the Mars area in 1997 because of the district’s reputation for academic excellence.

“It’s very concerning to us and to all other parents that these cuts could be coming to these younger kids,” Rocco said of the potential cuts to special programs in the lower grades.

Rocco also said property taxes have not been raised in the district for several years, and that the district can only raise them a few mills because of a state-issued cap on local tax increases.

Rocco said continuing to avoid a tax hike will only cause the district to fall behind financially.

“All you hear is ‘there is only so much money,’” Rocco said. “I don’t want to pay any more taxes either, but I want to educate my kids.”

Rocco’s statement met with applause from audience members.

Both Pettigrew and board President Dayle Ferguson intimated that “certain things” may happen soon to bridge the budget gap, but they did not say what that action may be.

Pettigrew said the budget, including any cuts, would be revealed at the May 8 board meeting.

Mars’ current budget is $37.1 million with a 99 mill property tax rate.

The school board voted in December not to raise 2011-12 taxes above the state-imposed 1.7 percent index.

The district was able to pass a budget last year due in part to one-year pay freezes accepted by district administrators, teachers and cafeteria workers.