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Ogdensburg Elementary officials warn health‑benefit costs could push district past 2% cap
Summary
Superintendent Dave Astor and Board President Dan Mortensen told the council rising health‑insurance and contract costs — which they said make up about 80% of the budget — could create a roughly $170,000 shortfall; the board will meet tomorrow and hold a public hearing in May.
Superintendent Dave Astor and Board President Dan Mortensen briefed the Ogdensburg Mayor and Council on April 13 about mounting pressures in the school district’s budget for the coming year.
"Typically we don’t come to the Council to discuss the budget, but this is different," Astor said, explaining that about 80% of the district’s budget is committed to fixed costs such as contracts and health care. He said the district can generate roughly $60,000 locally but faces increases that total "well over one hundred and seventy thousand dollars," and that health‑benefit cost increases are a major driver. Astor outlined options the board could consider to exceed the two‑percent cap, including a "bank cap" option he said the board prefers not to use.
Astor said the Board of Education will discuss the issue at a meeting scheduled for the next day and that the public hearing on the school budget will be held in May. Mayor Hutnick thanked Astor for the briefing and noted that the borough is facing similar insurance pressures in its municipal budget.
Council opened and closed the public comment period on the school budget at the meeting with no members of the public speaking.
No formal vote on the school budget occurred at the April 13 meeting; the briefing was informational and the BOE will proceed with its next scheduled meeting and the public hearing in May.
