BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg City School District tax payers will see no increase in spending or taxes in the proposed 2024 budget.

The district’s $55,261,205 budget  has not seen a change in the tax levy for five consecutive years.

“Our decision to maintain the school budget with a 0% increase in spending and a 0% increase on the tax levy reflects our commitment to the financial well-being of our community. This approach allows us to continue providing quality education while being mindful of the economic realities facing the tax payers of the Ogdensburg City School District,” Superintendent Kevin Kendall said.

Kendall said the budget keeps all of the school’s existing programs.

Last year a change in assessments and a decision to keep the levy flat led to a substantial drop in the tax rate from $27.49 to $22.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

Once the final assessment roll is calculated the rate could drop further.

Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the spending plan at the budget vote which is set for May 21 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Edgar A. Newell, II Memorial Golden Dome located at Ogdensburg Free Academy, 1100 State Street, Ogdensburg.

The community will also select  two Board of Education members.  

Running for the open positions are Ronald Johnson  and Douglas Loffler.

Each position will be for a five year team, beginning July 1, 2024. 

A public hearing is set for May 8, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Ogdensburg Free Academy Cafeteria B.

Voter registration will be held from 12 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the Ogdensburg Free Academy Edgar A. Newell, II Memorial Golden Dome, 1100 State Street in the City of Ogdensburg, New York.