FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville-Manlius School District says it expects to keep a property tax increase to under two percent during the coming school year. At a meeting Monday, the school board took steps to reduce expenses and adjust revenues.

Like all districts, F-M is expected to receive less in state aid. The district will see its aid reduced by $3.2 million or 16.5 percent. The district will also get $393,252 less in its share of Onondaga County sales tax revenue.

Costs are up, including a big boost in what the district must contribute to the state retirement system for employees. Without any changes, the budget would have raised taxes 7.71 percent.

In a news release sent to CNYCentral, Superintendent Dr. Corliss Kaiser said, "We have worked hard in recent years to propose tax levy increases that were less than 2 percent, and, especially in these tough budget times, that is a trend we looked to continue."

To achieve that goal the board is proposing to eliminate 14.5 positions, cutting  funds for equipment replacement in the athletic and music departments, and reducing an after-school bus run from five days a week to four.

The board is also proposing to dip into its reserve fund for $1.9 million, and use $915,226 of previously awarded Federal Jobs funds.

The board is expected to vote on the budget at its April 11th meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for May 9th.