The return of three teaching positions and the lack of a tax increase highlight a 2015-16 budget proposal for Batavia City schools following this week's budget meeting.
The reinstated teaching positions include a science teacher and a social studies teacher, both at the middle school level. The third position is for a districtwide music teacher.
There are students on a waiting list to take music classes.
The preliminary budget released in January projected a .55-percent increase in the tax levy, but with new state aid numbers that increase was zeroed out.
“The governor has always given budget projections,” Business Administrator Scott Rozanski said. “This year, he did not. So we used the budget numbers from the current year. When the state budget was finalized, we saw an increase of about $427,000. We used that to reduce the tax levy to 0 percent.”
The $427,000 will be coming in New York State Aid.
The proposed budget includes an increase in mileage for transportation at John Kennedy Intermediate School.
“I think the Board has sensed the needs of the taxpayer and has done even better than the governor projected,” Rozanski said.
The board meets again April 14 to finalize the budget proposal.
The public vote is May 19. The election will include the budget, transportation and three open seats on the school board.
