OTSELIC VALLEY – Otselic Valley Teachers Association (OTVA) President Patsy Graham announced an agreement by the association to increase the amount of health insurance premiums paid by its members in an effort to aid in the district’s budget woes, according to OTVA Secretary Betty Robinson.

Thanks to this contribution – approximately .5 percent of the tax levy increase – Otselic Valley Central School District residents will now face a proposed 2.56 percent increase in the tax levy, as opposed to the original increase, estimated at 3.06 percent.

“We were thrilled that they decided to contribute,” stated Otselic Valley Central School Interim Superintendent Linda Taylor. “Every little bit helps.”

Graham said the association understood that “everyone has to make sacrifices,” so they “opened our wallets hoping to get this budget through.”