GEORGETOWN – The Otselic Valley Central School District conducted the first of two community meetings this week to gauge public opinion of a proposed $17 million building project.

The project would see the OV Elementary School in Georgetown converted into a transportation facility and community center and the Junior-Senior High School in South Otselic expanded to serve grades K-12.

School officials say it is a long-term solution to some of the district’s budget woes. The district’s Board Advisory Team has been working on the project over the course of the past year, according to Superintendent Richard Hughes.

“This will help the state, the district and the local taxpayer,” Hughes said. “Fiscally, it’s a no-brainer. This is actually going to save the district money in the long run and will help us mitigate decreases in state aid, in addition to increases to retirement and health insurance benefits.”