GEORGETOWN – The Otselic Valley Central School District Board of Education, joined by approximately 20 community members and faculty, unanimously approved the 2010-2011 school budget. The district is facing a 5.89 percent reduction in state aid due to Governor David A. Paterson’s proposed $328,389 in cuts.

Interim Superintendent Linda Taylor reported that the board had made “minimal changes” to the budget since the last budget workshop on March 31.

“We tried, successfully I think, to maintain our instructional program while minimizing the effects on taxpayers,” stated Taylor. “All of our early planning and preparation really helped us to get through this and this was a cooperative effort.”

The 2010-2011 Otselic Valley School budget came in at $8,923,487, down 1.47 percent from the 2009-2010 school year. The tax levy increase, originally proposed at 5.26 percent before dropping to 3.67, was approved at 2.56 percent.

Total administrative and programs costs showed a reduction, 1.9 percent and 2.05 percent respectively, while capital costs increased 1.94 percent, due to employee benefits.