By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON -- Canton Central School Superintendent William Gregory says he is happy this year’s budget will allow the school to be able to sustain nearly 20 teaching positions added last year.

Last year Canton Central restored 18 positions after cutbacks when budgets were tightened due to the economy. “We are happy to hold onto staff,” he said.

“We are sitting in satisfactory shape,” Gregory said about staff levels in the district.

The school plans to add two support staff next year. Gregory said a bus driving job and a cleaning position will be added and filled.

The projected budget this year is $29,149,718, which is an increase of 2.45 percent from $28,451,598 during the 2016-17 school year.

The school expects to receive $17,800,000 in state aid, up 2.57 percent from the previous year’s aid, which was $17,464,886.

The proposed tax levy is $9,428,260, a 2.75 percent increase, which is at the district’s tax cap, Gregory said.

Voters will also vote on two propositions on the ballot.

The school is looking to purchase two parcels of land adjacent to the school. The purchases would give Canton Central more parking options and allow them to better control traffic flow issues.

“Part of the problem is people parking in fire lanes or double parking,” Gregory said.

The major area of concern is located on State Street near the Banford School.

“About four times a day we have a major traffic jam near the school,” Gregory said.

Owning the properties would allow the school to better design and control intake and drop-off routes.

A budget hearing is set for May 4 in the Hugh C. Williams Senior High School Library at 6 p.m. The public is invited. Taxpayers will vote May 16.

In Board of Education action on April 25, the BOE approved the resignation of custodial worker Robert Locke II, effective April 25.

The board also made several appointments including:

• Joshua Briggs, long-term substitute secondary math teacher, effective retroactive to April 12 though June 21 at a rate of $87.50 per day for the first ten days (to be paid $186.55 per day retroactive to the first of ten consecutive days, which does not include when school is not in session

• Christopher Smith, cleaner, probationary appointment effective April 26 at a prorated salary of $26,750.

• Shirley Gollinger, substitute food service helper and for other substitute positions for which she is certified or qualified.

• Alicia Wentworth, scholarship committee – math, for remainder of 2016-17 school year.

• Sarah Franklin, teacher aide (hourly), per the needs of the students, effective April 27, at a rate of $9.75 per hour.