News from the Odessa-Montour Central School District
OMCS News Notes
May 2015
A letter from your Board President
Dear Residents of the Odessa-Montour School District,
The Board of Education of the OdessaMontour Central School District is pleased
to present the District’s proposed 2015-16
budget. In developing this budget, the board
and district administration again undertook
a thorough review of the district’s programming and other needs within the strictures of
mandated costs and resource limitations. As
a result of these efforts, the district’s investment in its programmatic objectives has been
enhanced and other necessary elements of the
district’s function maintained.
On the revenue side, the proposed
budget stays below the district’s computed
tax cap, and indeed even incorporates a
small decrease in the tax levy for the second
consecutive year. This newsletter provides
some explanation and detail on the proposed
budget’s revenues and expenditures and gives
comparisons of budget function spending during the last two years.
In addition to voting on the budget, you
will be asked to vote on propositions increasing the annual tax levy for the Dutton S.
Peterson Memorial Library and the Montour
Falls Memorial Library, authorizing the forma-
tion of a capital reserve fund for the purchase
of school buses, authorization to purchase
school buses out of that fund and authorizing
expenditure of funds from the district’s capital
reserve fund to pay for repairs and upgrades
to the district’s facilities.
The Board of Education invites you to
our Annual Budget Hearing and Meet the
Candidates Night on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00
p.m. in the Board Conference Room (Hanlon
Elementary School Room 12), where Superintendent Chris Wood will present the budget
and field any questions you may have on the
information presented. Voting on the budget,
the propositions and board candidates will
take place on Tuesday, May 19 from noon
to 8:00 p.m. in the Board Conference Room
(Hanlon Elementary School Room 12).
Sincerely,
Robert Halpin
Robert Halpin, President
Odessa-Montour Board of Education
O-M schools earn twelfth Safety Award
The Odessa-Montour Central School
District has been awarded the School Safety
Excellence Award from Utica National Insurance
Company for the twelfth consecutive year.
O-M is one of 133 school districts and
BOCES in the state to receive this award. The
district received a certificate and $500 for future
safety efforts at a recent school safety seminar.
Page 2-4....................
2015-16 budget, Propositions
Page 5............Board
of Education
candidates,
Notifications
Page 6............Board
candidates
continued,
Recent
grads can learn
a marketable
skill
Pages 7........Capital
project information,
Notifications
Page 8........Dates to
remember,
Voting notice,
Absentee ballots
Utica insures more than 300 school districts
in upstate New York for property and liability
insurance. The company’s School Safety Excellence Award Program helps participating schools
enhance overall safety through measurable
assessment. The program rates schools in several
different areas, from bullying prevention to
school playground safety.
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Odessa-Montour Central School District
Proposed Budget for 2015-16
Expenses
Revenues
Component 2014-152015-16
Source
Program..............................$10,548,326....... $10,652,768
Administrative........................ 1,837,506............1,783,799
Capital..................................... 3,105,205............3,085,615
NYS Operating Aid............ $8,541,357..........$8,604,933
NYS Building Aid................... 1,357,980............1,500,131
Property Tax........................... 4,862,710............4,814,083
Fund Balance.............................526,221............... 451,986
Other Revenue..........................202,769............... 151,049
TOTAL.................................$15,491,037....... $15,522,182
2014-152015-16
TOTAL.................................$15,491,037....... $15,522,182
2015-16 Expenses
Budget/
Capital
Project
Hearing
2015-16 Revenues
Capital
20%
Administrative
11%
Property Tax
31%
Fund Balance
3%
NYS
Bldg. Aid
10%
Other
Revenue
1%
Thursday,
May 7
6:00 p.m.
Hanlon
Elementary
School
Room 12
Program
69%
NYS Operating Aid
55%
How will my taxes be affected?
The estimated district-wide tax decrease will
be approximately 1 percent. Here’s how your
taxes may be affected. These figures are based
on a house valued at $100,000. Please note that
property values are determined by local tax
assessors and equalization rates are set by New
York State. All figures are subject to change, and
do not reflect STAR Program reductions or other
exemptions.
2
Town
Tax Decrease on a $100,000 Home
without STAR exemption
Catharine.......................................................... $(15.39)
Cayuta............................................................... $(15.39)
Dix...................................................................... $(15.39)
Hector................................................................ $(15.39)
Montour............................................................ $(15.39)
Van Etten.......................................................... $(15.39)
Veteran.............................................................. $(15.39)
Enfield................................................................ $(15.39)
Administrative Component
The administrative section of the budget includes office and central administrative expenses for all
certified school administrators and supervisors who spend a majority of their time performing administrative and supervisory duties. Included in these expenses are salaries and benefits, as well as travel
costs, supplies and all costs to operate each school’s main office, as well as the Central Office, Office
of Special Education and Board of Education expenses.
Budget Function
2014-15
2015-16
Change
Board of Education............................................ $15,303............................$15,066.................................$(237)
BOCES Administration.......................................182,182........................... 179,070............................... (3,112)
BOCES Capital...................................................... 57,374..............................72,799............................... 15,425
Central Administration.......................................218,757........................... 180,650............................. (38,107)
Finance .................................................................335,819........................... 336,266..................................... 447
Legal...........................................................................3,000................................ 6,000..................................3,000
Personnel................................................................. 39,322..............................38,622...................................(700)
Public Information................................................. 18,004..............................15,437............................... (2,567)
Printing/Mailing.................................................... 10,708..............................11,378..................................... 670
Central Data Processing....................................121,659........................... 124,638..................................2,979
Insurance................................................................. 58,000..............................58,000..........................................0
Curriculum Development.................................... 30,196..............................30,429..................................... 233
Supervision/Regular School.............................312,138........................... 326,968............................... 14,830
Planning/Evaluation............................................. 40,189..............................41,226..................................1,037
Employee Benefits..............................................394,855........................... 347,250............................. (47,605)
TOTAL............................................................. $1,837,506......................$1,783,799...........................$(53,707)
Vote on
Tuesday,
May 19
Noon –
8:00 p.m.
Hanlon
Elementary
School
Room 12
Capital Component
The capital section of the budget covers all costs of operating the cleaning and maintenance departments, including salaries and benefits, service contracts, supplies, utilities and all other expenses for the
maintenance, repair and cleaning of the facilities. Costs associated with debt service are included in
this capital component.
Budget Function
2014-15
2015-16
Change
Operation of Plant...........................................$750,875.......................... $814,863............................ $63,988
Maintenance of Plant.........................................338,858............................ 321,678............................ (17,180)
Refund of Property Taxes......................................4,000................................. 4,000.........................................0
Employee Benefits..............................................215,167............................ 214,939..................................(228)
Debt Service..................................................... 1,796,306.........................1,730,135............................ (66,171)
TOTAL............................................................. $3,105,206.......................$3,085,615..........................$(19,591)
3
Program Component
The program section of the budget contains all costs of the educational program, including staff salaries and benefits, BOCES instructional services, athletics and transportation.
Budget Function
2014-15
2015-16
Change
Teaching – Regular School......................... $3,168,390.......................$3,273,691..........................$105,301
Special Education............................................ 2,054,334.........................2,117,848.............................. 63,514
Occupational Education....................................545,621............................ 533,618............................ (12,003)
Legal........................................................................ 11,000...............................14,000.................................3,000
Library...................................................................102,161............................ 105,597.................................3,436
Computer-Assisted Instruction.........................367,399............................ 408,364.............................. 40,965
Guidance..............................................................204,782............................ 204,588..................................(194)
Health Services....................................................103,162............................ 105,094.................................1,932
Co-Curricular Activities....................................... 54,000...............................50,409.............................. (3,591)
Interscholastic Athletics......................................207,460............................ 203,101.............................. (4,359)
Employee Benefits.......................................... 2,944,567.........................2,819,343..........................(125,224)
Transportation.....................................................758,355............................ 790,020.............................. 31,665
Transfers to Other Funds.................................... 27,095...............................27,095.........................................0
TOTAL...........................................................$10,548,326.................... $10,652,768..........................$104,442
Propositions put before voters on May 19
Proposition 1:
Budget/
Capital
Project
Hearing
Thursday,
May 7
6:00 p.m.
Hanlon
Elementary
School
Room 12
4
Shall the Odessa-Montour Central School District
budget for the 2015-2016 school year authorize
the spending of $15,522,182?
Proposition 2:
Shall the annual tax levy for the Dutton S.
Peterson Memorial Library (currently at $34,549)
be increased by $3,455 and shall the annual
tax levy for the Montour Falls Memorial Library
(currently at $37,635) be increased by $3,700?
Proposition 3:
Shall the Board of Education be authorized
to establish a capital reserve fund under the
provisions of Education Law Section 3651(1) for
the purpose of purchasing school buses; in a
total amount not to exceed of $2,000,000; for a
probable term of ten years; and funded by any
or all of the following sources: unappropriated
fund balances from the general fund, state aid
related to expenditures from this capital reserve
fund, interest income related to the investment
of monies in this fund, and any other additional
monies hereafter authorized by the voters of the
District?
Proposition 4:
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to
purchase two 65-passenger school buses for
the purpose of providing student transportation,
including original equipment and incidental
expenses for the foregoing purpose, at a total
estimated cost not to exceed $270,000; and to
expend funds from the bus purchase capital
reserve fund to the extent that it is funded?
Proposition 5:
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to
undertake certain repairs and improvements
to District buildings and facilities, including, but
not limited to, replacing the track at the Junior/
Senior High School, replacing the bus garage
roof, and performing repairs and upgrades in
the auditorium at the Junior/Senior High School,
all at a total estimated
cost not to exceed
$1,700,000; and to
expend funds from
the District’s existing
capital reserve fund
established May 20,
2008, to cover such
costs?
Vote for school board members
There are three school board positions up for vote. Below are brief biographies of the five candidates
running for the Board of Education.
Debbie Fellwock
Coddington Place, Odessa
Occupation: Sales Clerk
Education: Graduate of Odessa-Montour Central School, Executive Medical Secretarial Degree from
Elmira Business Institute.
Activities: Works at the Watkins Glen Skating Rink and substitutes for the Odessa-Montour Central
School District.
Personal: Grew up in Alpine and has been back in the area for five years. Family: three children.
“I want my son to graduate from Odessa as proud as I was, and I want to put the focus back on the
students.”
Todd Mertens
State Route 13, Cayuta
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: Attended high school in Colorado, attended the University of Colorado.
Activities: Family hikes, coaching daughter’s soccer team, camping and kayaking.
Personal: Has lived in the district for 12 years. Family: married 20 years, one daughter who attends
Hanlon Elementary.
“I am running for the board to help, rather than just complain and to bring common sense solutions
and fiscally responsible ideas to the board.”
Karen Rock
Vote on
Tuesday,
May 19
Noon –
8:00 p.m.
Hanlon
Elementary
School
Room 12
Hitchcock Road, Odessa
Occupation: Dental Hygienist
Education: 1974 graduate of Odessa-Montour Central School, Associate Degree from Erie Community College.
Activities: Has served on the OMCS board since 2004, volunteers at district schools and for the
Schuyler County Relay for Life and Diabetes Tour de Cure. Enjoys yoga, golf, camping and reading.
Personal: Has lived in the district for 49 years. Family: husband Dan, son Brian, daugter-in-law Joy,
grandchildren Gavin, Henry and Samantha.
“I am running for a seat on the Odessa-Montour Board of Education because I am interested in giving
back to my school district and I would like the opportunity to enhance the student learning experience.”
Continued on page 6
Section 504 notification
Sexual harassment policy
The Odessa-Montour Central School District
hereby gives notice that it does not discriminate
on the basis of handicap in violation of Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The district
gives further notice that it does not discriminate
on the basis of handicap in the admission or
access to its programs and activities, including
vocational education programs. No person shall
be denied employment solely because of any
physical, mental or medical impairment which is
unrelated to the person’s ability to engage in the
activities involved in the job for which application
has been made. Inquiries concerning this policy
may be referred to Mrs. Veronica P. Lewis,
Section 504 Coordinator, 300 College Avenue,
Odessa, NY 14869.
The Board of Education is committed to
providing an educational and working environment that promotes respect, dignity and equality
and is free from all forms of sexual harassment.
To this end, the board condemns and strictly
prohibits all forms of sexual harassment on
school grounds, school buses and at all schoolsponsored activities.
For the board to effectively enforce this
policy and take prompt corrective measures, it is
essential that all victims and persons with knowledge of sexual harassment report it immediately
to Christopher Wood, Title IX Coordinator, 300
College Avenue, Odessa, NY 14869.
5
Vote for school board members, continued
Jeff Parmenter
State Route 224, Montour Falls
Occupation: Vice President of Commercial Operations, Parmenter Inc.
Education: Graduate of Odessa-Montour Central School, aeronautical engineering courses through
the Community College of the Air Force, business and accounting courses at Elmira Business Institute.
Activities: Schuyler County Youth Baseball coach, 2014 United Way campaign chairman, volunteer
for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Personal: With the exception of his time in the military, has lived in the district his entire life.
Family: wife Amy, son Phoenix attends Hanlon and son Drew attends BC Cate.
“As a parent and a supporter of our community, I would enjoy an opportunity to contribute to the
education and the well being of our next generation of leaders.”
Robert Halpin
Newtown Road, Odessa
Occupation: Attorney
Education: 1993 graduate of Odessa-Montour Central School, Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University, Master’s Degree from SUNY Albany, Juris Doctor Degree from Albany Law School.
Activities: Current president of the OMCS board, Schuyler County Little League coach, active in
Odessa Catharine United Methodist Church.
Personal: Has lived in the district for 10 years. Family: wife Sadye, children Hailie (17), Lillian (8),
James (6).
“I want to continue to work with the rest of the Board and the administration to ensure the District’s
long-term fiscal stability and ability to provide quality educational opportunities.”
Recent grads can learn a marketable skill
GST BOCES Adult Education and Career Services offers specialized career training
programs to recent high school graduates. Right
after graduation,
students can develop
a marketable skill by
enrolling in a shortterm career training.
These programs are
designed specifically
to meet the needs
of local employers.
Participants will be
prepared to enter
the workforce in their
chosen field after
successfully completing
one of these courses.
Options include
Commercial Driver’s
License (Class A or B),
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Cosmetology, Esthetics, Electricity, Healthcare
Career Pathway, Industrial Manufacturing, Nail
Technology, Practical Nursing, Office Support
Specialist, Precision Machining and Welding. All
other adult career training programs are open
to recent graduates as well.
Each program will train participants in job
readiness skills such as résumé building, job
search support and employment preparation.
Programs range in price from $1,250 to
$12,000 and many students will qualify for financial assistance. For those who do not qualify,
payment plans are available.
To learn more about these courses and our
other career training options, please call
739-7905 and ask to speak with one of our
vocational specialists. Pre-admission testing is
required for all courses.
For a program brochure and application,
please go to www.gstboces.org/adulted.
Capital project information
The project at a glance
• Proposed Work: Replace bus garage roof
The bus garage roofing system was installed in the 1980s and is approximately 30 years old.
General life expectancy for a roof of this type is 25 years. The existing roof is requiring extensive ongoing repairs and maintenance and has several active leaks.
• Proposed Work: Remove track surface, mill and repair
asphalt base, install new asphalt leveling base, install new track surface, remove existing fencing and edging, relocate new fence away from outside lane
The track surface is 15 years old; a typical track surface life expectancy is 12 years. The track
surface is delaminating from the base. The asphalt base is settled, not level and has large cracks
and soft spots. The existing fence is too close to the outside lane, presenting a safety concern for
runners.
• Proposed Work: Upgrade room acoustics, upgrade house and
theater lighting with LED fixtures, upgrade lighting system
and controls, upgrade audio system and controls and up
grade the stage rigging
Auditorium improvements include replacing aging equipment and system controls, improving
energy efficiency with new LED lighting and providing additional safety enhancements to the stage
rigging and equipment. The result of this work will provide an improved environment for daily
instruction and everyday use by our students as well as the community.
Budget/
Capital
Project
Hearing
Thursday,
May 7
6:00 p.m.
Hanlon
Elementary
School
Room 12
Financial impact
The total project cost is $1.7million. The District will use $1.7 million in capital reserve funds. There
is no tax impact for our taxpayers. The District receives 89 percent building aid on eligible building
activities from New York State.
Title IX notification
The Odessa-Montour Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, creed, religion, marital status, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability in the employment or educational opportunities it offers, including vocational educational opportunities. Also, as
required by Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, the Odessa-Montour Central School District
does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the educational programs or activities which it provides
(including vocational programming), appointment of employees, employment pay and benefits, counseling services for students, access by students to educational programs, course offerings, textbooks
and student activities.
Christopher Wood, Title IX Coordinator, 300 College Avenue, Odessa, NY 14869, will provide
information, including complaint procedures, to any student or employee who feels that his/her rights
under Title IX may have been violated by the district or its officials. In addition, any student or employee may make an inquiry or a complaint directly to the Federal Office for Civil Rights.
Notice regarding pets
Due to health and safety concerns, the OMCS District asks community members not to bring pets
onto school grounds. Thank you for your consideration.
7
Odessa-Montour
Central School
District
NON-Profit
US postage
PAID
Permit #6
Watkins Glen, NY
14891
300 College Ave.
Odessa, NY 14869
(607) 594–3341
Board of Education
Robert Halpin, President
Scott Westervelt,
Vice President
Damita Chamberlain
Christian Maphis
Karen Rock
Robert Tuttle
Post Office or
Box Holder
Superintendent
Budget Edition... see inside for
details of the 2015-16 budget.
Christopher Wood
Dates to remember
May
1
Early Release Day: BC Cate-11:10 a.m.;
Hanlon/Jr./Sr. HS-11:30 a.m.
7
O-M PFO Meeting, Hanlon Library,
5:00 p.m.
Annual Budget Hearing & Meet the
Candidates Night/Board of Education Meeting, Hanlon Room 12, 6:00 p.m.
11-15 BC Cate & Hanlon Book Fair (Buy One/
Get One Free)
18
Fine Arts Boosters Meeting, HS Faculty
Dining Room, 7:00 p.m.
19
Budget Vote & Board Election, Hanlon Elementary School Room 12, 12:00
8:00 p.m.
22
No School
25
Memorial Day, No School, All Offices Closed
27
Senior High Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m.
Voting Notice
All voting will take place at the
H.A. Hanlon Elementary School
in Room 12.
Please be sure to bring a photo ID
with you when voting.
8
June
3
Junior High Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m.
9
Great American Picnic and Fine Arts
Awards, 6:00 p.m.
10
Sports Boosters Reception and Awards,
5:30 p.m.
11
O-M PFO Meeting, Hanlon Library,
5:00 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting, Hanlon Room 12, 6:00 p.m.
15
Last Day of Classes, Grades 7-12
17
Hanlon Fine Arts Night and Concert
Art Gallery, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Band & Chorus Concert, 7:30 p.m.
22
Fine Arts Boosters Meeting, HS Faculty
Dining Room, 7:00 p.m.
22-25 Early Release Days: B.C. Cate-11:10 a.m.;
Hanlon-11:30 a.m.
23
Baccalaureate, Odessa Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m.
25
Last Day of Classes, Grades PreK-6
26
Graduation, HS Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
Absentee ballots
Applications for absentee ballots are available for residents who are unable to vote in
person on May 19. To obtain an application,
write or telephone the District Office before May
12. Absentee ballots will be mailed on May 8
through May 12. Ballots are due in the District
Office by 4:00 p.m. on May 19.