Odessa-Montour adopts budget within tax cap

ODESSA--The Odessa-Montour school board voted to adopt their 2016-17 proposed budget during the regular meeting Wednesday, April 20. Superintendent Chris Wood said the budget totals $16,154,655, which is a 4 percent increase from the current year's budget. He also noted the school has remained within their 0.266 percent allowable tax levy increase in this budget.
Wood explained the total tax levy amounts to $4,786,372, representing an increase of $23,278. The total budgeted amount increased by $632,473 in the newly adopted budget.
However, the adoption does not necessarily mean the budget is final, as it still requires voter approval in May. The district will hold their annual public budget hearing Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. The budget vote itself will be held Tuesday, May 17 from noon to 8 p.m. for district voters.
In other business:
• Wood said the district would be working with the Watkins Glen Central School District for this year's summer meals program. He said the program will be open for students age 3 through 18 and run from July 11 through Aug. 5. The superintendent noted the meals will be cold and bagged, available to students from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. He added this program has no cost to the district or taxpayers, as it is paid for through a grant.
• The board approved the granting of tenure to Bridgette Duncan (special education), Kayla Kelly (library media specialist), Holly McNelis (school counseling), Marc Kimmerly (social studies) and Laurel Strobel (science).