Somers board gets first look at noninstructional budget; benefits drive roughly $2.1 million increase

Chris, the district staff member presenting the noninstructional budget, told the Somers Central School District Board of Education that the current review shows “about a $2,100,000” increase in next year’s noninstructional budget, driven principally by benefits and health‑insurance costs.

The presentation, a deep dive into audit and legal fees, insurance, technology, buildings and grounds, transportation and employee benefits, was the board’s first full look at the 2026–27 noninstructional plan. Chris described audit costs as largely fixed but said legal expenses fluctuate and that insurance premiums have risen significantly in recent years, pointing to broader statewide drivers. “There’s a lot of insurance companies and a lot of districts that have been faced with very, large lawsuits … and that’s what’s been driving up premiums,” Chris said.

On benefits, Chris showed that the health‑insurance line account alone accounts for a substantial share of the increase; he said one slide illustrated nearly $1.5 million of the budget rise tied to health‑insurance changes. He also noted the teachers’ retirement system rate is expected to fall modestly, while the employee retirement system rate for noncertified staff is rising.

Technology was presented as a largely managed line: the district continues a 1:1 device program (iPads at elementary, Dell Latitude laptops at grades 5–12) and relies on Edutech as its IT provider. Chris said the district is increasing purchases routed through BOCES to capture aid offsets. He emphasized cybersecurity and infrastructure upgrades (switches, power, display systems) that are often funded through lease‑purchase arrangements to smooth year‑to‑year costs.

Chris McCartney, director of facilities, described buildings and grounds spending tied to operational needs: replacement of an aged courier van, planned in‑house terrazzo refinishing, stair tread repairs and contracting some specialized boiler cleanings. McCartney said those moves are intended to preserve facilities and reduce outsized outside‑contract costs.

On safety and security, Dan (district safety staff) said the district operates with school resource officers in each building, evening security guards and a Raptor visitor‑management system. He noted there are roughly 300 cameras around the district and that a few more cameras will be added at the Primrose playground and to cover a new baseball field.

Transportation remains the single largest contractual expense. Gerard Esposito, assistant director of transportation, described a contract relationship with Royal Coach (buses and drivers) while the district employs bus monitors; Gerard said, “So, currently, we have 34 in district routes and 15 out of district routes.” He and trustees also discussed a Franklin BOCES service called “On the Bus” to prepare for potential state transportation audits.

Trustees asked for clarifications during the Q&A — about how carryforwards appear in the equipment line, how lease‑purchase rounding affected figures, and whether some budget lines should be separated for transparency (for example, breaking fuel from contracted transportation). Chris said the figures are preliminary and that he will continue to refine amounts as state rates and final numbers (such as TRS/ERS rates) are released.

Next steps: the board will consider the instructional budget at the Feb. 10 meeting and return for additional summaries in March and April; the district’s public budget hearing and budget/trustee vote are scheduled as part of the May timeline. The board also approved routine consent items and adopted the 2026–27 school calendar during the same meeting (outcomes recorded by voice vote; counts were not specified in the transcript).