CHAMPLAIN -- The tax levy for Northeastern Clinton Central School's budget may increase slightly.

The amount to be raised by taxes is $9,935,052, which represents an increase of 0.23 percent.

The tax rate is set at $20.56 per $1,000 of assessed property value, up 5 cents from the 2007-08 budget.

The total proposed budget for 2008-09 is up 6.7 percent, at about $27.3 million.

"I think it's a sound budget," said NCCS Superintendent of Schools Peter Turner.

Turner said the School Board examined the budget carefully and critically to find cost-saving measures.

The proposed budget supports the purchase of four smaller buses, instead of four more expensive 66-passenger buses as bought in past years.

The Middle-High School will also make the switch to natural gas in order to save money, Turner said.

"We're putting in a gas line this summer. (Natural gas) is cheaper."

He said about $135,000 will be saved due to changes in the BOCES Career Options program, as well.

"The program was run by BOCES and housed in this building. We're taking the program on ourselves," he said. "And, it will be more academic based."

Turner attributed additional costs in the budget to utilities and fuel prices. The cost of health insurance also increased about 7 percent.

Another major expense, he said, is for the first two interest payments on the capital building project, which total about $660,000. The $22.5 million capital project is set to begin this summer and will upgrade facilities throughout the School District.

Computers in the district also need to be updated, Turner said, as more than half are outdated 1999 models. Money has been budgeted for 378 new computers to be distributed throughout the district in a three-year installment purchase.

The School Board would also like to add several teaching positions, including a new high-school science teacher, a part-time remedial-math teacher for Rouses Point Elementary and a part-time high-school counselor.