LAFARGEVILLE, New York (WWNY) – School districts across the North Country are asking for help from Albany as energy costs surge, warning that residents could see a tax hike if relief doesn\u2019t come.<\/p>\n
LaFargeville Superintendent Travis Hoover said the district\u2019s utility bill jumped from $12,000 in January to $26,000 in February, an increase of $14,000 in one month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already expended what we budgeted for this year for electricity, and we know that\u2019s going to keep going so we\u2019re going to be pulling it out of reserves to make sure those costs are met,\u201d Hoover said.<\/p>\n
Other districts facing similar increases<\/p>\n
LaFargeville is not the only district seeing higher energy costs. <\/p>\n
Sackets Harbor Central School District said its energy bill in January was $19,000, up from $11,000 last January, while only using 8% more energy.<\/p>\n
16 districts call for state action<\/p>\n
In an effort to find a solution, superintendents from 16 North Country districts wrote a letter to Albany calling for change.<\/p>\n
Sackets Harbor Superintendent Jennifer Gaffney helped write the letter calling for energy price regulation, establishing or enhancing assistance programs, and creating an emergency fund for schools struggling with energy costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is to be shared with our elected officials for the purpose of advocating for an approach to assist public schools to ensure that we are not diverting resources from children to pay our electric bill,\u201d Gaffney said.<\/p>\n
Programs and staff at risk<\/p>\n
Gaffney said the rising costs threaten school programs and services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to accomplish our mission, visions, and goals when we have to cut back on programs, services, and people,\u201d Gaffney said.<\/p>\n
Hoover said if state help does not come, taxpayers will pay for higher energy bills, not only at home, but at their local schools.<\/p>\n
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