ALLEGANY, N.Y.  — A quick review of the proposed 2016-17 budget for the Allegany-Limestone Central School District revealed an expected 2.92 percent decrease in the tax levy and 100 percent maintenance of programs and services.

That report, which included a proposed 1.72 budget increase for the school district, was presented Tuesday during a brief budget forum prior to the school board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan said in addition to the decreased tax levy, the gap elimination adjustment (GEA) number, which reduced the school district’s state aid in the past through government take-backs, currently stands at zero.

In addition, Geelan said the staffing level will be maintained for the district, with only one position unfilled when a teacher retires at the end of the year. The positions held by nine other teachers who plan to retire will be filled, she added.

“This is good budgeting and it’s very good fiscal stewardship,” Geelan said of the proposed budget. She said the budget will be presented at 1 p.m. April 12 to the 60 Plus Club at the Allegany Senior Center on Birch Run Road. A budget presentation will also be held at 6:30 p.m. May 3 at the high school, followed by the budget vote and board election May 17.

Petitions for two open board seats are due April 18 at the district office. Potential candidates need to present petitions signed by 25 district residents.  

During the regular school board meeting, the board heard a review of the Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES administrative budget from BOCES Superintendent Lynda Quick and administrator Tom Potter. The administrators said election of BOCES board members will be held April 19.

The board also heard a presentation on the Healing Garden, currently under construction in the back area of the middle school/high school building on Five Mile Road.

Plans for the garden originated last year with the high school’s student council and their adviser, Linda Dodd-Nagel, who wanted to create a place of serenity, calm and peace for the community to visit. Local landscaper Gordon Scott of Scott’s Landscaping has volunteered his services for the project, with funding raised by student groups. Groups that helped raise funds include the  class of 2015; the class of 2019; the Leo Club, advised by Martha Torrey; Friends of Rachel, advised by Terra LaCroix; the Natural Helpers as well as numerous other students who have contributed $10,000 total to the endeavor.

Scott said he hopes to have a rectangular portion of the garden completed before the school year is completed. The garden will include two retaining walls, a perennial garden and an electrical line to illuminate a sculpture or other parts of the garden. Scott said he is trying to obtain assistance from Duggan & Duggan and Kinley Corporation contractors with laying concrete at the site.

“The majority of the project had been started by our crew up until the (snow) showed up,” Scott said.

Geelan said the the district will attempt to raise more funds for the project through the sale of engraved commemorative bricks that will be used to create a path on the property. The $50 bricks will contain names provided by donors, and for an additional fee will feature the Gator mascot or other designs. The bricks will be available for purchase by the end of the week through the school district’s website or online through the Cattaraugus Region Community  Foundation which has a donation site for the Allegany-Limestone Schools Foundation Fund. The school district’s newsletter and brochures will also contain information for the purchase of the commemorative bricks, Geelan said.