Consultant to Untangle Red Tape in Gansett

The Amagansett School is the latest local district to begin paying a consultant for help with the hefty record-keeping associated with the federal Affordable Care Act.

At the heart of the issue is the law’s requirement that businesses, schools, and other entities with 50 or more employees go through a complex reporting process to make sure the rules are being followed. Many school officials have said it is an enormous task — one that incurs monetary penalties if not completed properly.

Some local school districts are just on the cusp of that 50-employee threshold (a number often complicated by the substitute teacher system), and have acknowledged they need help.

On Sept. 8, the Amagansett School Board hired the Seneca Consulting Group. The consultants will be paid an annual fee of $11,000 if it is determined the district has 50 or more employees, or $5,000 if it is found that there are fewer than 50.

“The Affordable Care Act has created many, many additional responsibilities and the onus is on districts and businesses,” Eleanor Tritt, the superintendent, said during the board’s Sept. 8 meeting. “It’s very technical.”

Tom Lamorgese, a recently appointed part-time member of Amagansett’s administration, commented that “we have to be on the ball with this reporting, which is really a nightmare.”

The Bridgehampton School District worked with the Seneca Consulting Group last year, paying the Hauppauge firm $11,000. On July 1, Bridgehampton’s school board extended its contract with Seneca to this year, in the amount of $13,000.

Some larger schools have also turned to outside help. The East Hampton School District has also hired Seneca, first approving a contract for several months during the 2014-15 school year (the figure was not immediately available), and then extending it to the 2015-16 school year at a rate of $10,000.

The Sag Harbor School District completes its Affordable Care Act reporting requirements in-house, according to its business administrator, Jennifer Buscemi. Springs, Wainscott, Montauk, and Sagaponack districts also do not use outside services.

Albert Barbuzza, Seneca’s business development director, said yesterday that the firm is working with over 70 Long Island school districts, as well as several upstate. He agreed with school administrators who say the Affordable Care Act is extremely complicated.

“It’s a confusing thing,” Mr. Barbuzza said. “Even the attorneys and some law firms disagree about different meanings.”