The Port Byron Central School Board of Education is close to finalizing a $4.97 million renovation project approved by voters last December.

The board has been working with William Taylor Architects on several designs, particularly the key reconfiguration of the school's parking lots for months.

School Superintendent Neil O'Brien expects the project to be submitted for state Education Department approval within the next few weeks.

“The more scrutiny now, the less additional costs at the end,” O'Brien said. “If you don't do due diligence now, you'll pay for it later.”

The parking plans include construction of a dedicated bus and drop-off loop for the front entrance and a smaller loop in the rear for late afternoon activity to improve safety for students. The remainder of the project includes upgrades to outdated heating systems, wiring and fixtures as well as athletic field repair.

“There are two pieces to it, one is safety, the other is more mechanical,” O'Brien said.

Work would begin following a review by the state Education Department, which would take until fall.

“The major site work component wouldn't be done until next year,” O'Brien said.

Next week, O'Brien will be presenting the 2007-08 budget to residents at town halls throughout the district.

The $17,083,572 spending plan is about 6.5 percent more than this year's.

The proposed levy, or amount to be raised by taxes is about $5.2 million, $223,725 or 4.5 percent more than this year.

Presentations are slated for Monday at Montezuma Town Hall, Wednesday at Throop Town Hall and Thursday at Conquest Town Hall. The school board will have a special meeting for a public hearing on the budget May 7 in the high school library.

All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. The budget vote is May 15.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net