SOUTH OTSELIC – The possibility of severe state aid cuts has forced Otselic Valley officials to consider consolidation of the elementary and junior-senior high schools, personnel cuts and a potential tax hike.

Approximately 30 concerned residents and educators met with members of the Otselic Valley Board of Education Wednesday evening in the Junior-Senior High School cafeteria for the first of several budget work sessions.

Due to proposed state aid cuts submitted by Governor David Paterson in his executive budget, the board is currently accessing the feasibility of closing the Georgetown Elementary School and relocating those students to the Junior-Senior High School. According to a preliminary estimate, Otselic Valley Central Schools would face $328,389 in cuts, a 5.89 percent cut from projected state aid for 2010-2011.

“At this point we cannot put both buildings together without pushing some people out,” said Interim Superintendent Linda Taylor, who replaced former Superintendent Larry Thomas on Feb. 1. “We’re short on classrooms. Right now, when you look at it, we’d either have to push some programs out or acquire some modular classrooms.”