Hammondsport looks at $12M budget 

    HAMMONDSPORT—The Hammondsport school board is currently looking at a proposed $12,174,404 budget for 2012-13.

    Superintendent Kyle Bower went over the budget at the Wednesday, March 21, school board meeting. He said the board of education had decided to prepare a budget that would maintain all programs and courses in this upcoming school year. Bower also said that there would be a loss of two positions (teacher aides) as the staff are leaving. No one will be hired to replace them.

    At the moment, Bower said the projected tax levy increase is 3.1 percent. The board suggested cutting back a little more. Bower added that one decrease in the upcoming budget is the reduced costs associated with the former Curtiss school. 

    Board President James Zimar they need to “make sure to represent the community.” During public comment, a family asked the school to help keep the ski club operating. Zimar used that as a recent example of something part of the community has supported.

    One moving component of the budget is the capital project. The budget will not be affected if the New York State Education Department approves Hammondsport’s project by the May 14 deadline. Project designer Bill Taylor said if the state doesn’t approve it then, the project start date will be pushed back into the winter. Bower added he will be in contact with the state each week for an update.

    Mark Vorhees, project manager from Campus Construction Management, said either way, asbestos abatement would start this summer. He added if the project is pushed back it would mean additional abatement would need to be done next summer as well.

    In other business:

    • Bower said the sale of the former Curtiss school is being finalized by the district’s and purchaser Simon Sananas’s lawyers. He added that the district never received a petition from district residents to hold a referendum vote.

    • Bill Fries, transportation supervisor, wants to trade out three of the older buses with the most mileage for two new buses. He added he also wants to replace a Suburban and a 10 passenger van. Fries gave the school board a report on use of all buses and shared services with other schools.