Odessa-Montour plans $17.2M budget

Apr 30, 2019 at 10:45 pm by Observer-Review


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Odessa-Montour plans $17.2M budget

ODESSA--The Odessa-Montour Central School District has adopted a $17,287,208 proposed budget for the 2019-'20 school year.
The total represents a 2.6 percent increase over the current school year.
The new budget will require an increase in the tax levy by 2.32 percent. This increase is slightly below the 2.54 percent allowable state tax cap for the district.
The administration said employee health insurance premiums are one of the largest components of the increase for next year. This area alone is up $262,000. The other budget items that have increased include: Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is up $198,000, contract staff compensation is up $147,000 and the transportation contract with Watkins Glen is up $45,000.
In comparison, the O-M school district plans for a total enrollment of 785 students in 2019-'20. In 2015-'16 there were 760 students. For teachers and staff, next year is scheduled for 145 and there were 138 in 2015-'16.
School district residents will have an opportunity to vote on the budget Tuesday, May 21. Also at that time voters will consider five different school propositions. The first resolution is to authorize the 2019-'20 budget for $17,287,2087.
The second resolution will authorize the school to reconstruct and equip existing school buildings and facilities at an estimated cost of $16,900,000. Most of the money (89 percent) will come from the state for the improvements. The school will use $2,579,000 from the existing reserve fund to eliminate the need to increase taxes for the project. Superintendent Chris Wood said, "With the state aid and the reserve fund we will not impact future taxes with these building additions." The scope of building renovations includes fire alarm upgrades, instructional technology upgrades, science, technology, Art and Music Room renovations, generator upgrades, bathroom renovations, roof replacement, gym renovations, locker room renovations, window replacement, masonry repairs, replace asphalt at the bus loop and parking area, replace select concrete walks, pads and curbs and loading dock repairs.
The third proposition authorizes the school to spend up to $900,000 from the 2016 Technology Capital Reserve Fund for educational technology enhancements and infrastructure security features at the schools. Proposition four authorizes the district to purchase two 64-passenger buses and one seven-passenger four-wheel drive vehicle for the purpose of transporting students. The maximum amount for these items is not to exceed $285,000. Proposition five asks voters if the district should be authorized to levy and collect an annual tax, year after year, separate and apart from the annual school district budget in the amount of $66,550,00 for the Dutton S. Peterson Library. This is an increase of $1,950 for the Peterson Library and an increase of $3,044 for the Montour Falls Memorial Library.
Also on May 21, voters will be asked to vote for school board candidates. This year, there are two seats and two candidates running: Karen Rock and Alyssa Wixson.

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