OESJ facing possible reductions due to insurance rate increase

March 27-- Mar. 27--ST. JOHNSVILLE -- A higher than expected increase in insurance rates, along with other increases, will impact the Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District.

"The increase in health insurance was much more than we were anticipating," said interim District Superintendent Joseph Natale during a telephone interview Wednesday.

Natale said the increase, which is expected to be about 25 percent, will have an effect on the 2019-20 budget.

"We're looking at reductions throughout the budget, including staff reductions, and will also be looking at enhancing revenues by using some reserve funds," he said. "It's a very, very difficult situation at this point."

The district's Board of Education was presented with a working budget in February that had $19,859,565 in appropriations for the 2019-20 school year, an increase of $670,223, or 3.49 percent, from the current year.

Wages and benefits made up 64 percent, or $12,614,515, of the February proposal, with supplies and equipment at three percent, contractual expenses at 10 percent, BOCES services at 19 percent and debt services and transfers at four percent.

The February proposal listed $207,928 under staffing adjustments -- among the higher increases in the budget. Other major budget increases included the BOCES CTE and P-Tech programs and equipment.

School districts are still waiting for the final state budget from the Legislature. In January, OESJ was projected to receive $13,977,000 from the state, a 0.55 percent increase over the current year's aid.

Natale said Wednesday the budget is expected to stay under the tax levy limit for the district.

He also said those working on the budget are "combing through" it to find ways to reduce spending.

Reductions the board had been considering in the February proposal are a part-time business teacher position, a psychology summer position and a guidance summer position for a total reduction of $56,968. The proposal included the addition of a BOCES aidable instructional coach, a reading teacher, a typist, a summer curriculum program and a regional CLS for a total addition of $264,896.

The school board is expected to have another budget review during its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, in OESJ Junior-Senior High School auditorium at 44 Center St., St. Johnsville.

The board's finance committee will meet prior to the meeting at 5 p.m. April 3 in the distance learning room at OESJ Jr.-Sr. High School

"Hopefully, they will come to an agreement," said Natale.

If the board doesn't adopt the budget during the April 3 meeting, they will have to meet again in April to do so, the superintendent said.

School district voters will have a chance to decide on the school board's adopted budget plan on May 21.

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