By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City School’s Board of Education is hopeful the state’s final budget will help close a $307,274 gap in the district’s $42.8 million budget.

The board met Tuesday to continue work on the spending plan. The current proposal would raise total spending by $900,000 or about 2.15 percent, and revenues by $592,726. That leaves a gap of $307,274, which must be closed before the budget can be finalized.

The tax levy would increase by $107,862, which would bring the city in just under the 1.12 percent state imposed tax cap.

Superintendent Timothy Vernsey says salary contracts, health insurance and the need for a new zamboni and band uniforms are all factored in to the $900,000 increase.

Health care increases account for $522,000. The zamboni purchase is expected to cost more than $100,000 and band uniforms are estimated at $50,000.Vernsey said that fundraising and other potential revenue sources could help offset the cost of uniforms.

Vernsey said the school district is also contributing $2.2 million in fund balance to help stay below the tax cap.

Vernsey said state representatives in the assembly and senate are proposing increase in foundation aid that could help close some of the gap, but added that exactly how much support the school will receive remains unclear at this time.

He said the budget would doesn’t include cuts to staff or programs and also stays within the state’s cap, which is refreshing compared to recent years.

Board member Vicky Peo said the budget was fair to all “stakeholders” and offered praised to all staff members who have contributed to it.

The next budget session will be April 4.

Versney said the state’s final budget should be available by then, and that will allow the school to make adjustments to the budget using real numbers.