OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured is Forestville Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor.

FORESTVILLE — Over the past month, since the last meeting of the Forestville Board of Education, there has been no change to the 2026-27 Forestville school budget projection. The district is still anticipating a tax levy increase of 2.9%, amounting to an extra $119,113 raised from taxpayers this upcoming year.

The 2026-27 budget is projected at $15,003,462, an increase of just over $800,000 — or roughly 5.6% — from 2025-26. Wages and benefits amount to more than $9.4 million of the $15 million budget — 63% of the overall budget.

The district expects to begin construction on its Capital Project, approved last year, this spring. Renovations to the district’s locker rooms will be the first step of the project, with the construction set to take place over spring break. The rest of the work will begin over the summer.

“The earlier we can start, with as little disruption as we can, the better,” said Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor.

While changes have not come yet in terms of the budget or the Capital Project, a few personnel changes on the horizon have become clear to the Board.

Forestville will be looking for a new band teacher in the coming months, as Jay Hagen has submitted his resignation for the purpose of retirement. He will finish out the school year before his retirement takes effect. Hagen is not alone, as Sandy Muck will retire from the role of food service helper at the end of the school year, as well.

Five bus driver trainees were approved by the Board of Education at its recent meeting, pending completion of specified requirements. The new trainees are Kristen Bellis, Courtney Cummings, Tyler Morgan, Sharon Rebmann and Melissa VanArsdale. The district increased its pay rates for bus drivers through a memorandum of agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United at a Board of Education meeting in February.

Melissa Barnes was approved by the Board as a substitute nurse. Tracy Gostomski was approved as a substitute floater monitor aide and uncertified teacher. Kristen Bellis was approved as a substitute floater monitor aide. Cori Coia resigned as a floater monitor aide, effective Feb. 27.

Scot Greenough was appointed as Director of Summer Enrichment for Summer 2026 with a stipend of $4,440. Shawn Hadley was approved as a volunteer modified softball coach. A payment of $900 to the Senior Class of 2026 for caps and gowns was approved by the Board.

The rate for an uncertified teacher to serve as a substitute was updated to $112 per day. A memorandum of agreement between the district and the Forestville Teachers’ Association regarding retirement incentives was also approved, as was a resolution for cooperative bidding through BOCES.

The Board cast its votes for Sylvester Cleary, Gregory Cole, Wendy Dyment, Aaron Richner and Mike Schenk to serve on the Chautauqua County School Board Association’s Executive Committee through June 30, 2028.

The next meeting of the Forestville Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m.