Otselic Valley proposes tax levy increase of 3.87 percent

SOUTH OTSELIC – After budget meetings during which the district discussed the possibility of a 15 percent tax levy increase, the Otselic Valley Board of Education came together last week to approve a budget calling for a tax levy increase of 3.87 percent.
The 2009/2010 budget, totaling $9,056,933, represents an increase of 2.48 percent over last year’s total of $8,837,381.
Earlier in the budget process, the district had feared just the basic cost increases would lead to a budget of nearly $9.2 million. The district had discussed the possibility of layoffs to combat the budget situation, however those layoffs never materialized.
“We have had some retirements and have made some reductions or held the line in program allocations, which have helped us come down from the 15 percent figure we had originally discussed,” explained Superintendent Larry Thomas.
One elementary teacher and one high school teacher will retire at the end of the school year. The position at the high school will not be refilled. “We’ve decided we can accommodate through scheduling and with declining enrollment,” Thomas said. The superintendent explained that as part of the district’s master plan, as employees retire, they’ll review the position to determine whether or not it needs to be refilled. The position at the elementary school will be refilled, however Thomas explained there will be a cost savings to the district.
Two non-instructional staff members will also retire this year, and only one of those positions will be refilled.
Thomas said the district will see cost savings in a few other areas. Transportation costs will decline, since they’ve eliminated the need for a run for special education students who were traveling out of the district. In addition, there will be savings in the area of extra and co-curricular activities. The board has decided to decrease the number of contests and scrimmages teams travel to. They plan to reduce supply and equipment expenses for the year and have decided to send only one bus to away contests.
Further savings will be seen during the summer. The district will not be offering Driver’s Education this year, and will not offer summer school at the junior/senior high school level. Thomas explained that the district will however continue their summer reading program at the elementary school.
The board of education will hold a budget hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in the elementary school gymnasium. The budget vote will be held from noon to 9 p.m. on May 19 at the high school and elementary buildings. Voters on the Chenango County side of the district must vote at the high school, while Madison County residents will be required to vote at the elementary school.

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