ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The proposed 2018-19 Allegany-Limestone School District budget of $23.2 million is expected to not only represent a 0.77 tax levy increase, but will also provide increased security measures that will include a full-time school resource officer.

At the end of Tuesday’s budget forum, the board unanimously approved the proposed budget which will be voted on by district residents from noon to 9 p.m. May 15 at the middle/high school. District residents will also vote for two open school board seats currently held by Kim Palmer and Matt Kahm.

Deputy district clerk Mike Watson, who read the details of the proposed budget to the board, said one important measure in the budget is to increase Deputy Devine Leacock’s SRO position to a full-time post. Leacock’s part-time hours with the school district are currently shared with a BOCES program.

“Important and dear to us all, with everything that has been going on around the country” is to implement a full-time SRO position in the budget, Watson said in reference to the increased need for school security around the country in light of recent school shootings.

“We share that (SRO position) with BOCES, where we pick up 80 percent (of the cost) and they pick up 20 percent,” Watson added, noting the school district opted to upgrade the SRO’s position to full-time without expectation of state aid.

“The (State) Legislature seems poised to do things to help districts obtain safety and security, and one of the things we’ve heard is funding for SROs,” Watson explained. “But nothing is happening, yet … we’re moving forward whether it’s funded or not.”

In commenting on other security increases, Watson said district radios in buildings and on buses will be upgraded to provide a range of contact throughout the entire state. Security upgrades will also be provided at the entrances to the schools, and additional security cameras will be installed on the two campuses. In addition, all buses will have four cameras each, and some will be equipped with Wi-Fi and GPS tracking capabilities.

Watson and Interim Superintendent Mark Ward said the security measures implemented in the schools will integrate with the district’s $16.1 million capital project, which will include numerous security upgrades that will be implemented within two years.

In commenting on other aspects of the proposed budget, Watson said there will be no reductions in programs, additional social worker support, the hiring of a full-time literacy teacher and expanded field trips, among other amenities for students. In addition, there will be four new buses and four new vans added to the fleet.

Cost-saving measures for the budget will include the elimination of an administration position that had been held by Jon Luce who returned to teaching, as well as four teacher retirements. Those teaching positions will be replaced, Ward added.

During the regular school board meeting that followed the forum, the board presented outgoing Ward with a plaque and cake in appreciation for his interim work.

“We do appreciate what you’ve done here,” board member Maggie Nuss told Ward, who has filled the position since the former superintendent, Dr. Karen Geelan, left at the end of October.

Replacing her will be Anthony Giannicchi, who will officially begin his duties as the new superintendent April 9. Giannicchi, who had worked as a teacher at  Allegany-Limestone in the past, currently serves as principal at Cattaraugus-Little Valley High School. He and his family plan to move to the Allegany in the near future.

For his part, Ward said working at Allegany-Limestone over the past several months had been “a great experience.

“I do hope Tony (Giannicchi) will take the ball and go from here,” Ward remarked.