NEWBURYPORT - Rep. Mike Costello gave city leaders a harsh dose of reality Wednesday night: The state is unlikely to bail the city out of its school funding crisis this year, so they had better find solutions from within.

At a public forum organized to discuss local education funding at the Nock Middle School, members of the community attempted to lobby state and federal representatives for additional help.

"Quality education for children and proper funding is desperately needed from the state and federal governments," said former School Committee member Dick Sullivan, who organized the forum.

But the delegation on hand, which included city and state legislators and representatives from the governor's and Congressman John Tierney's offices, didn't have the answers local officials may have hoped for.

Costello, D-Newburyport, urged community members to push for a Proposition 21/2 override, enroll in the Group Insurance Commission plan immediately and to look closely at transportation costs of special education students. Small changes on the local level could mean savings, Costello said.

"The last override was not articulated well; fixing the problem can't come from the state," Costello said. "Let's face it, saying you can turn this around without an override is irresponsible.

"Every city and town in the state is looking for additional funding and extra assistance. We aren't in a different place than many other cities."

During the public comment portion of the forum, which at times sparked heated debate, some spoke of the bitterness over last spring's failed override and asked the state officials if it would be possible to earmark money for schools as a specification attached to an override.

"Nothing can be changed legislatively quickly," Sen. Steve Baddour, D-Methuen, said. "Locally, you can work with the mayor to have override money go to the schools and hold future mayors accountable to do the same."

The forum, which Sullivan hoped would provide answers and alternatives to another override attempt, left Sullivan feeling frustrated.

"I know (Sen. Ted) Kennedy and Tierney's offices are working on this, but I don't think Costello and Baddour got the point," Sullivan said. "I don't think we will get any help from the state government."

Sullivan hoped for concrete answers as to how the city and state will turn the budget crunch around this year, he said.

"We need to look at the bigger picture. Seventeen percent of the city's population is using the schools, and the rest can't afford the increase that an override would bring," he said. "The federal government is fighting like hell in Washington. Let's have that same level of enthusiasm on the part of our elected state leaders."

The forum's panel included Baddour, Costello, a member of Gov. Deval Patrick's office, Tierney's chief of staff, Mayor John Moak and School Committee Vice Chairman Steven Cole.

The forum began with short statements from the politicians before Dr. Ralph Orlando presented a PowerPoint presentation.

"We need to look to the state to have a fair share of what's out there," Moak said. "We are a big contributor, especially to the meal tax. We need to get an equal share back."

The presentation broke down the often enigmatic issues surrounding Chapter 70 funding and where Newburyport stands when stacked up against comparable communities in the state.

"We are at the tipping point," Orlando said, noting the recent cuts to languages, the arts, music and numerous electives. "Any more small losses will add to a large problem."

Orlando proposed looking into transportation costs for special education students, school choice fees, enrollment in the GIC plan and a School Preservation Act that would ensure money would go to the schools as ways to avoid an override.

The deadline for enrollment in the GIC, which provides health insurance and other benefits to state and municipal employees, retirees and their dependents, is within the next 10 days. If all of the city's unions can agree to accept the program, it could save the city more than $500,000.