DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne High School will take center stage during Thursday’s “Coffee with the Mayor,” though results of Tuesday’s referendum on the proposed 1 percent sales tax are expected to influence the tone of the presentation.

Jane Robbins, assistant to Daphne Mayor Fred Small, said the referendum was not on radar when school representatives were asked to address the 8:30 a.m. gathering at City Hall, and participants should expect an enlightening progress report on the school’s programs and performance regardless of the vote’s outcome.

In addition to an overview highlighting the school’s most recent achievements by Principal Don Blanchard, Assistant Principal Joseph Roh will speak at length about the International Baccalaureate program, Coach Glenn Vickery will discuss athletics and Rick Faison will discuss Daphne High’s band program.

Because the sales tax referendum had not taken place as of press time, Robbins said she was hopeful the presenters would be in good spirits following a favorable outcome. If the proposed tax failed to pass, however, she said the program would certainly prove equally informative.

If approved, the temporary 1 percent sales tax is expected to raise approximately $25 million per year for three years and help Baldwin County Schools offset deep staff cuts prompted by repeated proration over the past two years.

Baldwin County Board of Education Interim Superintendent JaNay Dawson has stated publicly the county system has already lost $61 million in state and local funding over the past 24 months due to a dip in state funding and declining local and state revenues.

Blanchard, who addressed the City Council weeks before the March 23 referendum, outlined at that time specific positions and programs that would be affected at Daphne High School should the measure fail when taken to the people.

The employees affected, he said, would include: Assistant Principals Roh and Meredith Horton; visual-arts teacher Shepard Partridge; biology teacher Stephanie Wainwright; and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Lt. Col. David Landfair (Ret.). Chorus, he told the council, has already been eliminated.

Small hosts “Coffee with the Mayor” the last Thursday of every other month.