By THOMAS LUCKIE III

OGDENSBURG -- The July 28 concert featuring founding Styx member Dennis DeYoung at Ogdensburg Free Academy's recently renovated George Hall Auditorium resulted in a loss of $3,631.98 for the City School District.

A report discussed at Monday's Board of Education meeting revealed that expenditures related to the performance totaled $39,554.57, while revenues totaled only $35,922.59.

Aside from the $27,500 fee paid for DeYoung's performance, other expenditures included a $5,800 staging cost, $5,738.82 in advertising, and $515.75 in related ticket expenses.

Ticket prices for the concert ranged from $50 to $80.

"Everybody who went to the show absolutely loved it," said Superintendent Timothy Vernsey.

"But it is the first time doing something like this. We got close."

Potential proceeds from the concert were intended to benefit music and art programs in the district.

Vernsey cited public confusion over DeYoung's role in Styx as a deterrent to potential ticket sales, noting that some people thought the concert was a Styx tribute band.

DeYoung's Ogdensburg performance was also undoubtedly affected by a Styx headlining performance at the Franklin County Fair in Malone on Aug. 12.

Founding members Chuck Panozzo and James Young, longtime member Tommy Shaw, and several additional musicians form the current Styx lineup.

While DeYoung currently performs as a solo artist, his concerts feature Styx hits such as "Lady," "Babe," "Mr. Roboto," "Come Sail Away" and more.

DeYoung is also credited with writing seven of the band's eight Billboard Top 10 singles.

When asked by the Board how the district plans to absorb the loss from the concert, Vernsey said that a fundraiser involving name plaques on the auditorium seats is currently in the works.

Plaques should soon be available to be engraved in memory of loved ones or various other tributes at an estimated cost of $25.

The auditorium, which underwent a $12 million renovation completed last year, has a seating capacity of 927.

No future similar concerts are currently planned for the auditorium.