Board works on budget, bus cameras

By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer

Tue, May 13 2008

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ONEONTA _ During its regular meeting Wednesday, the Oneonta City School District Board of Education continued work on items to go before voters May 20.

Deputy Superintendent Thomas Austin discussed adjustments to revenue and spending that will reduce the tentative budget almost $190,000 from the previous draft, to about $34 million. This would be a 6.54 spending increase from last year and require an 8.06 percent property-tax-levy hike.

However, Austin said, a couple of more drafts are expected before the board is due to approve a budget April 23. The previous draft called for increases of 7.14 percent in spending and a 9.74 percent in the tax levy.

The main changes include a $90,000 reduction in borrowing costs _ resulting from lower interest rates _ and a $125,000 increase in state aid expected from a change in state BOCES aid ratio payments. Austin said that was expected when the state budget is passed.

Superintendent Michael Shea said that the two largest missing pieces of the school budget will hopefully be filled in before the April 23 deadline. This would include state foundation aid, which would add $500,000 if restored to the level former Gov. Eliot Spitzer had promised last year. Health insurance rates are also being negotiated, Shea said.

The board also approved a $257,475 transportation equipment proposition. If passed by voters, it issue bonds for $247,875 to provide for a $55,000 digital camera system on buses. The system would replace current devices as a way to provide better safety, Austin said. The money would also provide funds for a seven-passenger van and a 27- and 66-passenger bus, as part of regular fleet replacement.

In other business, the board heard presentations that included Riverside second-graders discussing their technology project and high school teachers Tom Jennings and Lisa O'Connor discussing a student mentoring program.

The meeting was held at Riverside Elementary School.