Odessa-Montour proposes budget

ODESSA--The Odessa-Montour Central School District proposes a budget of $16,848,907 for the 2018-19 school year, an increase of $206,204 or 1.24 percent. This will be the first proposal of three on the May 15 ballot.
As stated in the OMCS newsletter, "The estimated district-wide tax increase will be approximately 2.45 percent." The proposed budget will raise taxes on a $100,000 assessed property for Catharine, Cayuta, Dix, Hector, Montour and Enfield by $35.44, Van Etten by $36.91 and Veteran by $43.75.
The board of education President Robert Halpin said, "This increase on a percentage basis is more than has been the norm within recent years, but stays within the district's computed tax cap."
The entire increase will be allotted toward the program component, which is increasing by $423,187. The administrative portion is decreasing by $39,067 and the capital component is decreasing $177,916. A notable cost is computer-assisted instruction, which is increasing from $85,000 to $191,009.
The second proposition before voters will authorize the board of education to purchase two 65-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed $270,000. Funds will be taken from the bus purchase capital reserve fund to cover these costs.
The third proposition will authorize the board to increase the annual levy for the Montour Falls Memorial Library by $2,600 and to pay such funds to the library board of trustees.
Additionally, there are four school board positions up for vote, three three-year terms and one one-year term. The candidates are Robert Halpin, Karen Rock, Dana Sgrecci and Jeff Parmenter.
The vote will be held Tuesday, May 15 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Hanlon Elementary School (room 12).