The West Irondequoit Central School District Board of Education on May 8 held a public hearing on the proposed $100,611,335 2025–26 budget, which district officials said would increase spending 7.28% year over year and raise the tax levy by 2.73%.

District business official James Brennan said state foundation aid grew substantially in the current aid runs and now represents the largest share of revenue for the district. "For really for the first year, ever, the amount of state aid is the largest slice of that pot," Brennan said, adding that the shift reduces the district’s reliance on the local tax base. The district estimates state aid at just over $47 million and the tax levy at roughly $45.6 million; Monroe County sales tax receipts are projected to contribute about $6 million.

The hearing provided residents an overview of how the district plans to allocate the money. Officials said personnel additions and contractual salary increases are the main drivers of the spending increase, along with higher special-education costs and a 14% rise in health-care expenses tied to high-cost claimants in the district’s self-insured plan. The budget also includes non-personnel increases for inflationary costs, added special-education seats and 10 initial CTE slots in the district’s OSES budget line.

Superintendent Pat McDonald (presenting as Dr. Johnson during the meeting) and the administration emphasized the five-year sustainability guardrails guiding development of the budget and said the district remains under the state’s tax levy cap calculation. Brennan noted the cap’s 2% inflation factor while explaining the district’s allowable levy increase also depends on assessed value growth and pilot property changes.

Voters will be asked to authorize the spending limit and several propositions on May 20: the 2025–26 budget authorization of up to $100,611,335; a capital project to replace Briarwood Elementary’s roof and related mechanicals ($1.62 million); and creation of a new capital reserve of up to $20 million to save for future major projects. Brennan explained the district’s use of the state’s Capital Outlay Exclusion (sometimes referenced locally as the “100 project”) to fund up to $100,000 of smaller capital work from the general fund; this year that allocation is targeted to replace mechanical and electrical systems in an Iroquois Middle School elevator.

Board members and administrators answered questions from trustees during the hearing. Trustees were briefed that the estimated tax rate for 2025–26 would be $21.89 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 58¢ increase from the prior year when applying the proposed levy increase and revenue estimates. Officials encouraged residents to consult the district’s budget materials online and contact the administration with questions before the vote.

No public speakers had signed up for the hearing portion of the meeting; the board opened time for community comment after the presentation and staff answered several clarifying questions about staffing drivers, state aid estimates and the capital reserve schedule.

The budget will be voted on at the district’s annual vote and election on May 20 at the Saint Paul Boulevard Fire Department.