Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail on the 2015-16 budget proposed by the Coxsackie-Athens school district. The spending plan would total $29.4 million, a more than three percent increase over the current year. The proposal would require a 1.05 percent tax levy increase. While the budget includes some savings, including teacher retirement system contributions, bond refinancing and negotiated health insurance savings, it also includes staffing changes. Two social studies teachers and an administrator would be reduced from full- to part-time and one open math position would not be filled, under the current proposal. At the same time the district would add a full-time American Sign Language teacher and school psychologist. District Superintendent Randall Squier told the Board of Education during a recent budget workshop the reduction in instructional staff would not impact students. He also said the district would offer additional courses next year, most via distance learning. The annual budget vote and school board elections will be held statewide, Tue., May 19. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.