Averill Park projects $1.6 million budget shortfall as state aid rise offsets by health‑care cost spikes

Averill Park Central School District officials told the board Feb. 24 the district expects a notable increase in state foundation aid for 2025–26, but that nearly all of that gain will be offset by rising health‑insurance costs and other mandatory expenses, leaving the district with a continuing budget shortfall.

The superintendent and district finance staff presented initial budget numbers for 2025–26 and walked the board through changes in the foundation aid formula and the district’s tax levy limit. “Under the current law, we’re about $5,600 per pupil for foundation aid. Under the governor’s proposal, that jumps about to $5,900, increase of $250 per student,” said Carrie (staff member), who led the finance presentation. The district’s pupil count used in the formula is 3,229; Carrie said the governor’s proposal would increase the district’s foundation aid by about $1.1 million compared with current law.

Why that matters: the superintendent and staff said health‑insurance…