From left Frewsburg Central School Board President Larry Lodestro, Superintendent Dr. Danielle Cook, Board Member Randall Wiltsie, and District Secretary Laura Smith listen to a presentation Thursday. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

FREWSBURG – “It’s more than just books.”

That’s what Myers Memorial Library Board member Jason Bussman told members of the Frewsburg Central School Board Thursday.

Bussman and other library board members gave a presentation on sustainable funding.

Specifically, the library board is seeking to put a proposition before school district voters in May, library board member Jim Hale said.

“New York State Education Law 259 was developed to allow libraries to put a funding proposition on the school district ballot to allow community members to vote on sustainable funding for libraries,” Hale said.

There are nine libraries in Chautauqua County that receive that receive their funding from a NYS Law 259 vote including Anderson-Lee Library, Ashville Free Library, Bemus Point Library, Fluvanna Free Library, Hazeltine Public Library, James Prendergast Library, Lakewood Memorial Library, Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library, and the Sinclairville Free Library.

Currently, Myers Library is receiving $30,000 from the town of Carroll and $6,500 from the school district which go toward its $113,824 budget.

By using a 259 vote, the school would save $6,500 and the town would save $30,000 from their respective budgets, while taxpayers would be asked to pay $100,000 through an additional tax as part of their school tax bills that would go directly to the library.

If the library was provided $100,000 through a 259 vote, then for properties assessed at $100,000 the cost would be $47 in the town of Busti, $45 in the town of Carroll, $45 in the town of Kiantone, $31 in the town of Poland, and $53 in the town of South Valley.

“The library is thriving,” Bussman said. “It’s a nice community hub, and a nice place where people can gather.”

In other business:

– The school board approved a proposition to put before voters on May 20, for two 66-passenger buses not to exceed a total cost of $380,000. The proposition for the voters would be worded to give the school district the option to fund the purchase from the budget or to finance, depending on the state aid, and other budget considerations when payment is required.

The school board also accepted a contract bid for the 2024/25 Capital Outlay Project from Kinney Contractors of Allegany for $87,000. Superintendent Dr. Danielle Cook said the contract is for exterior masonry work.