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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- After a long and painful process, the Elmira City School Board passed their 2012-2013 budget Wednesday night, but not before some last minute changes.

The board voted to exceed their state-mandated 2.61 percent tax levy increase limit and raise it to 5 percent. The increase would generate more than $700,000 in additional revenue for the district but the public must pass the measure with a super majority; 60 percent plus one on May 15th.

A resident with a $100,000 home would see an increase of about $111 a year. Officials say the extra money would bring back previously cut budget items.

"We'll have some deliberation throughout the spring in restoring program, bringing back different teachers, other positions in the district so that the cuts aren't that deep and aren't that damaging," said Superintendent Joe Hochreiter.

The school board also asked the superintendent to explore further cuts to the athletic budget. They asked for scenarios that include everything from greatly reducing funding to doing away with the entire athletic program.