ALLEGANY — A preliminary budget of $23.9 million for the 2019-20 school year, which represents a decreased tax levy of 0.25 percent, was unanimously approved by the Allegany-Limestone board of education at Tuesday’s meeting.

Following the meeting, Superintendent Tony Giannicchi said the district is “always striving to decrease taxes … it’s definitely a plus.”

Giannicchi noted the lowered tax levy of approximately $7.16 million, if approved by district voters during the budget vote from noon to 9 p.m. May 21, will represent the fifth straight year the district has decreased its tax levy. A public hearing will also be held May 7 on the district’s 2019-20 budget proposal.

In other news, Giannicchi said the high school will see the start of construction work for the $17.2 million capital project Thursday when students begin their spring vacation from school.

He noted that locker rooms on the bottom floor of the building have been closed and construction work will start in that area.

“What happened is (construction workers) are trying to get in here as soon as possible because they want the locker rooms in that area ready by fall,” he continued. “They’ll have a good 10 days to do the demo work” for the renovation work.

The capital project, which will involve renovations and expansions to improve the middle-high and elementary schools as well as increased security at both campuses, is being conducted by Campus Construction Management and Clark Patterson Lee architectural and engineering firm. In addition to the locker room renovations, other work at the middle-high school will include a new multi-purpose athletic field and associated facilities such as an additional concession stand and multi-purpose special education space, track renovations, a fully lighted field, sidewalk repairs, drainage upgrades and some resurfacing of the parking lot. Renovations at the front entrance of the building will include a second set of doors and locked vestibule for security.

Renovations at the elementary school will also include a secured vestibule and a second set of doors at the front entrance. There will also be major renovations to the office, and energy management upgrades.

In addition, designs call for new roofs on both schools, and upgrades for the fire alarm systems and door access systems at the campuses. Completion of all work is expected by September 2020.

The project is funded by state building aid funds, district capital reserve funds and the SMART Schools Bond Act.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the proposed tax levy decrease is 25 percent. The Olean Times Herald regrets this error.

In other business, the board approved the transfer of Jennifer Rodgers, who has more than 20 years of seniority in teaching, to teach elementary education, effective Aug. 29. The board also approved the appointment of Andrea Darrow as an elementary teacher, effective Aug. 29.

In addition, the board approved the resignation of Marjorie Andrews from the position of English teacher, effective June 30; the retirement of Karen Mosman from the position of food service worker, effective April 12; and the retirement of Katherine Howe as a teacher aide, effective June 17. Also approved were the appointments of Jenny Zalwsky, school lunch cook; Sheri Elwell, food service helper; and Lisa Yeager, food service helper.

Under action items, the board approved a memorandum of agreement with the Allegany-Limestone Educational Support Personnel Association to provide increased health insurance benefits for full- and part-time bus drivers; approved the reorganizational meeting for July 9; and approved the transfer of up to $800,000 from the unappropriated fund balance to the Capital Reserve.

A highlight of the evening was the video presentation of music played by high school students Alice Li, Emmy Li and Sydney Sider, who sang and played “All of Me” by John Legend. The video, which can be used by the students as a portfolio piece and for technical endorsement on their Regents diploma, was produced by BOCES students Dustyn Green and Kyle Griffin.