With the passage of a preliminary legislative budget, officials in the Holley Central School District were able to trim the anticipated 17 percent tax increase to 8.77 percent.

Ted Welch, the district's business administrator, said that even though the tax rate increase has been almost cut in half, there were no figures available on the amount of the tax levy. "Any savings we might realize from the state budget, when it's passed, will be put toward the levy."

The budget must be put before voters by June 3.

Because of enrollment figures and scheduling, the district recently trimmed an additional seven teaching positions. "We did a lot of cutting mid year and these seven are in addition to that," Welch said.

The budget that will be presented, Welch said, is "pretty much below the contingent level." The board eliminated modified sports in the seventh and eighth grades, driver's education programs, and summer school transportation. "We will have a new football team but it will be completely funded by non-tax dollars," he said. "A community booster group will fund the program."

The district's pre-kindergarten program will remain intact as Welch said.

A budget deficit of $1.2 million was announced at the end of the 2001-2002 school year. An audit showed that most of the deficit was a result of overspending on special education services and other services provided by BOCES.

In March, the district identified a budget deficit and cut three teachers, seven aides and other miscellaneous positions. "We did that after the Governor's budget called for massive cuts in state aid for our district," Welch said. "Those cuts put us on good financial footing."

When voters come to the polls on June 3, they will also be asked to vote on an appropriation package of $81,539 for the Community Free Library.

There are three open, three-year terms available on the Board of Education and 11 candidates are vying for those seats.

Incumbents Elizabeth Skehan and Betty Drennan will be looking to retain their seats, while newcomers Rev. Randy Anson, Albert Buell, Salvatore DeLuca, Jr., Nicholas Penna, Dennis Piedimonte, Amy O'Mara, Rev. Robert Oyer, Shannon Sauro-Quill and Jeanne Spada are also seeking election. Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holley Junior-Senior High School.