SAN ANTONIO -- Voters on San Antonio's south side have rejected a property tax increase proposed by South San ISD.

The school district hoped to get an additional $6.4 million from the increase that it said is desperately needed to add new programs.

But 57 percent of voters rejected the tax ratification measure. The district now says it will likely have to cut its staff and put some proposed programs for students on hold.

"The challenge is the lack of being able to advance more opportunities, more programs for kids. From the very beginning we committed to the middle schools academies. Those will move forward in spite of this outcome," said Abelardo Saavedra, South San ISD Superintendent.

South San ISD said it needed additional revenue due to falling students enrollment all linked to an aging community and an influx of charter schools.