BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — For the first time in six years Ogdensburg City School District taxpayers will likely see a jump in the tax levy.

Superintendent Kevin Kendall says the increase is necessary for the district to continue to maintain its robust curriculum.

The budget proposal calls for a 2.49% tax levy increase. That’s about $263,899 over last year for a total of $10,862,259.

The Board of Education has adopted a $56 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year that will need voter approval next month

The $56,092,979 spending plan represents an increase of $831,774 from the 2024-2025 budget.

Of course that spending plan will need public approval before it becomes the final budget.

A  public hearing will be held on May 7 at 6 p.m. in OFA’s cafeteria B, prior to the public budget vote on May 20.

As for the tax rate, if assessments remain at the current level, it will rise by about 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value from $21.37  to about $21.90 per $1,000 of assessed value.

No program cuts are expected at this time, though there will be a reduction in some part-time positions.

Two seats are also up for grabs this election cycle but both incumbents are running unopposed to keep their spots on the board of education. 

That includes Liz Testani and Connor Sutton.

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