West Irondequoit presents $100.6 million proposed budget; voters to decide May 20

WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT officials presented a $100,611,335 proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year at a public hearing, telling residents the plan would raise the tax levy by 2.73% and increase the tax rate by roughly $0.58 per $1,000 of assessed value. The district also scheduled a May 20 vote that will include the budget, a $1,620,000 maintenance project for Briarwood Elementary School and a proposal to establish a capital reserve of up to $20,000,000.

The proposal centers on a larger share of state foundation aid after several years of advocacy. "for really for the first year, ever, the amount of state aid is the largest slice of that pocket," said Mr. Brennan, a district finance staff member, during the presentation. Officials said foundation aid is up by just over $3,000,000 — nearly a 10% increase — largely because the state updated poverty measurements using a 2023 small‑area income poverty estimate.

"We've had the chance to, navigate the process. We recently were able to present the preliminary budget to the, to the teachers and staff, a little while ago. And that was a great conversation," said Dr. Johnson, the district leader, at the hearing. He framed the budget as the product of several months of review and cross‑district work and said the plan follows the district's…