By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- Potsdam Central Superintendent Joann Chambers says she is appreciative of the increase in state aid approved by the state legislature late last week and hopes the additional money will pay for the restoration of four teaching positions and a social worker position.

“We received a bit more than last year,” she said. “We are certainly grateful for what we got,” she said.

Potsdam Central will receive $9,455,445 in Foundation Aid, up $71, 319 or .76 percent.

Chambers said it can be a bit deceiving for the public to see that the school received a 12.15 percent increase it total aid; but she says much of that is expense-driven aid.

“That is money that we will spend and will receive reimbursement for,” she said.

Potsdam Central School District is eligible for a total of $16.4 million in state aid, an increase of $1.78 million, or 12.15 percent more than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $758,711, or 6.02 percent.

Chambers said that the elimination of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), will result in over $400,000 in additional revenue.

“That will be helpful,” she said.

The elimination of GEA is a move that has been long supported by local school districts.

Chambers seemed to feel positive about next year when the school would likely receive reimbursement for a large part of the capital project.

“The state provides aid to help schools maintain buildings so that it is not a burden of a taxpayer,” she said.

The increased spending will go toward increasing four teaching positions from part time to full time.

Chambers said the positions were cut a few years ago with the hope that they would be brought back. Those positions include an English teacher, middle school music teacher, and elementary physical education and art teachers.

PCS received $1,209,592 in transportation aid, up 10.57 percent from $1,094,003 last year. The school will see an 8.5 percent increase in BOCES aid. The increase is from $1,474,513 last year to $1,599,855

A finance committee will meet Thursday to finalize the budget.

The projected budget is up 5.9 percent from last year. The budget for 2016-17 is $31,706,706 with last years being $29,833,415. The proposed tax levy is $12,776,551, which would be an increase of 2.28 percent from $12,491,631, during the 2015-16 school year.

Chambers said the Board of Education expects to stay with the projected 2.3 percent taxy levy.

Taxpayers will vote on the budget May 17.