Board authorizes use of reserves to cover midyear health-insurance spike and $1.7M emergency repair; FEMA reimbursement expected

The Three Village Central School District board authorized using fund balance and reserves Wednesday to cover a midyear health-insurance increase and emergency building repairs caused by storm damage at Nesaquake Elementary School.

Assistant superintendent/business official Mr. Carlson told trustees that damage to Nesaquake (described as flooding from last August) totaled "a little over $1,700,000" and that FEMA is working with the district on reimbursement. "That was a little over $1,700,000 in damages to Nesaquake Elementary School, which, of course, we did not budget for," Carlson said. "We are in the process of working with FEMA for reimbursement on that."

Carlson also said the district experienced an unanticipated midyear medical-insurance premium increase this fiscal year that raised current-year costs by about $800,000 and was incorporated into the upcoming 2025-26 budget. "We had to increase the current year by 800,000, which factored into that ... for next year," he said.

The board approved the consent agenda that included a resolution authorizing reserve use to pay these costs and directing that any FEMA reimbursements be returned to reserves. Administrators said FEMA appeared confident reimbursement will cover most of the cost, though they cautioned processing times can be lengthy. No dollar amount to be withdrawn from reserves was specified during the meeting.

Other consent items the board approved included the annual Eastern Suffolk BOCES shared-services contract, appointment of the district's external auditor (EFPR) following the required request for proposals, several special-education contracts required by IEPs, acceptance of modest private donations to scholarship funds and personnel motions including retirements, resignations and appointments. The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote; the chair recorded no opposed votes and no abstentions.