ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Allegany-Limestone Central School district voters were urged to get out and cast their votes May 15 during Tuesday’s school board meeting at the middle/high school.
In speaking about the budget, board president Dr. Joe Zimmer said the proposed 2018-19 district budget of $23.2 million is expected to represent a “0.77 percent budget to budget increase” as well as a 2.95 percent decrease in the projected tax levy. In addition, the budget allows for 100 percent of the programs and services to be maintained.
“Two weeks from tonight we have a vote for our budget proposal and also for two (seats) with the board of education,” Zimmer said, while adding board members Kim Palmer and Matt Kahm will run for their uncontested seats during the election.
“We are encouraging everyone to get out and vote,” Zimmer said. “Vote it up, vote it down, but let your voice be heard.”
District residents will have the opportunity to vote from noon to 9 p.m. May 15 at the middle/high school lobby. The school board meeting on election night will begin at 7:30 p.m. to provide an opportunity for officials to receive the final poll results.
During his report, Superintendent Anthony Giannicchi said School Resource Officer Dep. Devine Leacock will move on to another campus.
“I’ve been in contact with the (Cattaraugus County) Sheriff’s Office for a replacement,” Giannicchi said. “Deputy Devine will finish out the rest of the school year.”
He said a new SRO should be available to start in the position at the end of June or beginning of July.
In other business, the board approved a new communication system that will provide digital radio equipment for the district and buses at a cost of $42,135. Deputy district clerk Mike Watson said $37,000 is in the proposed budget to pay for the system that will provide access to other signals on a statewide level.
In personnel matters, the board approved the hiring of Erik Jones as an elementary teacher at a salary of $40,314, effective Aug. 29.
The board also approved unpaid leave of absence for Maren Bush from the position of speech/language pathologist from July 1 through Jan. 1, 2019 to pursue an unpaid administrative internship at Franklinville Central School District. The board also approved an unpaid leave of absence for Linda Dodd-Nagel, to pursue an unpaid administrative internship at the middle/high school beginning this summer and continuing through the 2018-19 school year.
The board also heard a presentation on the recent high school band and chorus trip to New York City.
Students Madison McClelland and Erica Volz, and their teacher, Melanie Hachten, used a PowerPoint presentation to describe the trip that used two buses and treated students to various museums and areas of the city. A highlight was the group’s visit to the Broadway show, “Anastasia.” Another highlight was the group’s visit to the unique restaurant, Medieval Times.
