It was last call for the Scotia-Glenville Central School district’s proposed budget on Wednesday, May 2. The board held a public hearing and a Meet the Candidates night in an effort to lay on the table everything that will be on the Tuesday, May 15, ballot. The district’s $44.56 million dollar budget carries an estimated tax increase of 2 percent or less.
Initially, the board had considered including two propositions on the ballot, but the board decided to pay for building improvements and bus purchases without borrowing any funds. The district is studying a building project that affects every school, including eventually replacing roofs at the three other elementary schools in addition to Glendaal, where repairs had been planned all along. The plan would also improve the district’s athletic fields and facilities. District resident may see details as early as fall.
`We came in under budget in many areas. That led us to be able to add $135,000 for buses as well as $800,000 for a roof replacement and a new playground at Glendaal. We tried to find a way to accomplish this work without accumulating any more debt for the district,` said board president Margaret Smith.
Smith’s term expires this year and she will be seeking another term. She is running against district residents Jerry Moore and Colleen Benedetto, who officially introduced themselves to the public after the budget hearing. An additional spot is up for grabs as board member Joe Crisafulli declined to run for a second term.
Smith said the board is excited about many of the additions in the budget, including new courses that will be offered at the high school.
`We will be expanding our advanced placement courses which is something we have wanted to do for some time,` said Smith.
The budget also proposes high school level English honors courses and new electives such as a medical diagnostics course.
Superintendent Susan Swartz stressed early on that this budget evenly distributes the wealth.
`From K-12, we have made improvements at every level,` said Swartz.
Smith said the board is also feeling optimistic about the position of a part-time central registrar. This person will track student enrollment at all grade levels, conduct a census and coordinate state requirements for student data.
`The central registrar will be somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades. Our hope is that the position will help us in alleviating enrollment challenges for our elementary schools,` said Smith.
Voting on both board members and the budget will be held from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, at the senior high school gymnasium at 1 Tartan Way in Scotia.“
