Even in the Suburbs they are allowed to increase School Taxes without a vote because sometimes things come up that have to be paid for whether the votes like it or not(Like increases in Teacher pay and benefits which are union negotiated and cannot just be cut because there is no money and you cant fire tenured teachers)
For those who have difficulty with the english language, The state Mandatory for busing is 2 miles and 3 miles. However the district voted to give everyone busing even if they lived closer. In an Austerity budget the state mandates would remain, however those who lived in the areas not under the mandates would lose their busing in order to pay for other mandates.
Since we all agree there is a shortfall. You need to come up with a solution how to close the shortfall. You can either raise revenue or cut spending. If there is no spending to be cut you have to raise revenue from either raising taxes on the district or a state infusion of funds. The state infusion of funds is not likely to occur unless there is a monitor.