THE BELLAIRE School District received a dose of good news Wednesday.

The financially troubled district had its five-year forecast approved. It was done so with the blessing of the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission.

Bellaire schools are trying to dig out of a $3.5 million deficit. The district is asking voters to pass a 12.9-mill emergency levy on the Nov. 2 ballot. The same request was soundly defeated at the polls in May.

The five-year forecast projects a positive balance by fiscal year 2013. It weaves a scenario for black numbers regardless of the levy’s fate.

The levy would generate $1.4 million a year for the district, with $700,000 being realized this year.

Even with the passage of the levy, Bellaire schools for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 show red ink, setting the stage for escaping the deficit the following year.

That is the best-case scenario.

Should the levy fail, an administration which has made major cuts and tightened the spending belt, will once again have to take forceful action to stay within budget.

That is not good news to the work force. Twenty teachers have been cut to bring the district to its current position. That is a major job loss and a setback to the school system’s academic well-being.

Another levy defeat would trigger a new round of teacher cuts. Superintendent Tony Scott says 14 more Bellaire teachers would lose their jobs in order to make the positive fiscal year 2013 budget a reality.

Any district would feel the effects of losing 34 teachers. A district of Bellaire’s size would be forced to make major curriculum and class consolidation.

An added fly in the financial ointment may come in the form of an additional state 10 percent budget cut for education. We harbor hope such a burden doesn’t play out, as it would only yield more issues for a district fighting for its life.

We commend Bellaire school officials for their efforts thus far to right their financial ship. We implore them, however, they must work passionately for the levy’s passage if they wish to preserve 14 teaching jobs.