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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Horseheads Central School District budget of $69.5 million comes with a 3.4 percent tax levy increase, but programs and teachers are safe.

With just a few weeks before the public votes on the budget, the district's deficit is at zero. Along with the tax levy increase, the district is using $5 million in reserves, along with receiving an additional four percent in state aid.

The district is losing 10 positions through attrition and is replacing 14 retirements with jobs at a lower salary. All that careful planning saved what people care about most.

"We want parents to still send their kids to us and we know that we need to maintain those three A's: academics, the arts, and athletics. So we need to have that comprehensive program. That goes into the decision making to using reserves, looking for different to provide education and services in our schools," said district Superintendent Ralph Marino.

Voters will decide whether or not to give their approval on May 15th.