ALBANY – On Thursday, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced 26 school districts in the state that are currently designated as fiscally stressed, including Norwich City School District.

NCSD is among nine schools in the state to receive the designation of moderately stressed based on the evaluation of 674 school districts with fiscal years ending on June 30, 2017.

"We certainly understand Comptroller DiNapoli's designation," said NCSD Deputy Superintendent Robert Wightman. "This comes as no surprise to us considering our rapidly rising costs in managing the finances of the district such as in employee health insurance and mandated costs."

To be considered under moderate fiscal stress, schools must score 45 percent or higher on the comptroller's fiscal score––NCSD scored 48.3.

Wightman said in an effort to refine and reduce costs, the district has refinanced some of its existing debt, thereby reducing costs and saving taxpayers $280,000 annually, and $1.3 million over the next six years.