Olean School Voters to Decide on $34.11 Million Budget Tuesday
Posted on: Friday, 16 May 2008, 21:00 CDT
By Kathy Kellogg
Spending will increase by 7.39 percent in the Olean City School District if voters approve a $34.11 million budget Tuesday.
School Superintendent Mark Ward said Wednesday that an increase in the number of students requiring special-education services is responsible for driving up the cost of programs by $590,000. Additional costs in the areas of a newly awarded transportation contract ($200,000), salary increases (about $1 million) and health insurance ($267,000) are responsible for some of the district's growing spending needs.
A second proposition would provide about $20,000 for purchase of one-third of an acre of land at 212 17th St. N., adjacent to Washington West Elementary School. If the property is acquired, it would be used to increase safety in an updated driveway to allow one- way entrance for buses and traffic and create additional parking.
Ward said the budget approval will trigger a tax levy increase of about 3.9 percent.
He said a public hearing was held Tuesday night and attended by school administrators, staff and board members, but was ignored by residents.
"Apathy always worries me, because we are the only level of government that is held to this level of scrutiny," Ward said, referring to a vote by the public on a budget.
Two five-year School Board terms are being sought by four candidates: James Padlo, who served out an appointment to fill a partial term, Brian Rodman, Daniel Harris, and incumbent Steven Hamed.
Polls at Olean Middle School will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Elsewhere in Cattaraugus County:
* Franklinville Central School's voters would agree to a 5.16 percent spending increase by approving a $16.15 million budget. Approval also would mean a 2.49 percent tax levy hike. Franklinville officials said the increase can be attributed to health insurance, new technology items and instructional equipment in the high school and elementary schools.
Incumbent Richard Chapman is unopposed for another five-year term on the School Board. Polls in the rear lobby of the high school will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
* Allegany-Limestone Central School voters will decide a $20.93 million budget proposition, an increase in spending of about 4.09 percent. The plan would also increase the tax levy by 3.82 percent. Board candidates Kimberly Palmer and Paul Wisnieski are unopposed. Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. in the Limestone Elementary Building for voters in the Town of Carrollton, and in the Allegany- Limestone Middle-High School Building in Allegany for voters in the district's remaining five townships.
* Cuba-Rushford Central School voters will decide a $20.68 million budget proposition, a proposed spending increase of 2.87 percent. The tax levy is not expected to increase. Proposition 2 authorizes $102,883 for the purchase of one 60-passenger school bus and one BOCES vehicle; Proposition 3 would boost the Cuba Circulating Library levy from $95,000 to 103,000, an increase of almost 9 percent; and Proposition 4 would increase the Rushford Free Library levy from $24,000 to $26,000, a hike of more than 4 percent.
Four candidates are competing for a five-year term on the School Board. They are: incumbent Patti Petroni, Douglas Crandall, David Crowley and Casey Linderman. Voting is from noon to 8 p.m in Rushford Elementary cafeteria, Lower Street, Rushford; and in the Cuba Elementary Building, Room 105, 15 Elm St.
* Ellicottville Central School voters will decide a $10.6 million budget proposal, which carries a 2.7 percent hike in spending. The tax levy is expected to increase by about 3.1 percent. Voters also will decide whether to spend $84,601 for a new 65-passenger school bus, and whether to spend $25,000 to support the Ellicottville Memorial Library. Three candidates are vying for two five-year board terms. Incumbent Mary Ellen Campbell is being challenged by Leonard Zlockie, while incumbent Lynn Eddy is unopposed. The polls will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. in the foyer of the elementary wing.
* At Hinsdale Central School, the proposed budget of $8.95 million would mean a spending increase of 3.86 percent, but no increase in the tax levy, officials said. Also on the ballot is a proposition authorizing the purchase of a school bus at a cost of $98,000. Incumbent School Board member Jeffrey Hewitt is unopposed. Polls will be open in the gymnasium foyer from noon to 8 p.m.
* West Valley Central School District voters will decide an $8.5 million budget proposal, which represents a 4.44 percent spending increase. The tax levy would go up by 5.93 percent. Voters also will decide whether to spend up to $40,000 for the purchase of a school car or van. Incumbent board member Stephen Kowalski and Teaseleman Jackson McCarty are unopposed. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. in the school's main entrance.
Originally published by CATTARAUGUS CORRESPONDENT.
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Source: Buffalo News
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