Voters rejected the Ogdensburg City School District’s proposed 2026-27 budget on Tuesday, May 19, by a vote of 301 to 329.
The rejected proposal totaled $58,228,386 and represented a 3.81% increase in spending and a 3.99% tax levy increase compared to the current school year.
The proposal included the district’s elementary reconfiguration plan, which would designate Grant C. Madill Elementary as a primary school for UPK-1 students, and John F. Kennedy Elementary would serve as an intermediate school for grades 2-6. Ogdensburg Free Academy would continue to serve grades 7-12. Read more about the plan here.
Under state law, when a proposed school budget is defeated, a board of education may place the same budget before voters a second time, present a revised budget, or adopt a contingent budget. If voters reject the budget proposal a second time, the board must enact a contingent budget.
State law also requires that a contingent budget cannot increase the tax levy, which would require the district to reduce spending by $648,500.
In addition to the proposed budget, voters rejected a transportation proposition to allow the district to purchase 13 student transportation vehicles at a cost not to exceed $2,521,504. The gas-powered buses would qualify for up to 85% state reimbursement. The district’s current vehicles are no longer under warranty. The proposition failed by a vote of 307 to 317.
“While we’re disappointed in the outcome of today’s vote, the administration and Board of Education will convene on Wednesday to determine the path ahead,” said Superintendent Kevin Kendall. “ Our priority continues to be doing what is best for our students and ensuring the district can operate effectively.”
The statewide school budget revote date is June 16.
Board of Education election results
Two candidates sought election to two open seats on the Ogdensburg City School District Board of Education. Both seats carry five-year terms, expiring June 30, 2031, and beginning July 1, 2026.
- Mrs. Renee` Grizzuto 480 votes
- Mrs. Angela McRoberts 522 votes
Additional information on the district’s budget process is available on the district website at https://www.ogdensburgk12.org/budget-finance/.
About Ogdensburg City School District
The Ogdensburg City School District is located at 1100 State St., in the City of Ogdensburg, New York, which is located on the beautiful St. Lawrence River. The city is in St. Lawrence County in Upstate New York. The district is in close proximity to local universities and colleges such as St. Lawrence University, Clarkson University, SUNY Canton College and SUNY Potsdam College. The district is also located in close proximity to areas such as Ottawa, Ontario (45 minutes away), Montreal, Quebec and Syracuse, New York City (2 hours away). It is considered a small city school district and has two elementary schools and a grade 7-12 complex. The Ogdensburg City School District serves approximately 1,800 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The district encourages high academic excellence through integrated thematic educational experiences, enhanced by community collaboration to accommodate individual learning needs in heterogeneously grouped classrooms as well as strive to develop self-actualized individuals who demonstrate high academic excellence, effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities, civic values and global awareness as we provide and support opportunities for life-long learning.