Victor Central Board adopts $109.77 million 2025–26 budget; tax levy set at $60.52 million

The Victor Central School District Board of Education on April 10 adopted a $109,771,405 budget for the 2025–26 school year and set a tax levy of $60,523,560, a 3.04% increase from the current year.

Superintendent Tim Terranova and Assistant Superintendent for Business Christine Griffin presented the budget and said the district must finalize its figures before the state completes its budget. Griffin told the board the district is presenting two state‑aid scenarios and expects actual aid will fall between those projections; she recommended the board adopt the proposed spending plan now so voters can consider it May 20.

Griffin said the proposed operating budget represents a $6.5 million, or 6.34%, increase from the prior year. The administration told the board it plans to manage any shortfall between revenues and expenditures this year by using contingency and fund balance from 2024–25 and, if necessary, by reducing the contingency allocation in 2026. The district also flagged a projected rise in BOCES spending (for shared services and software purchases) and noted that BOCES purchases typically generate aid the following year.

Why it matters: The board’s action sends the proposed budget to district voters on May 20. The adopted levy is tax‑cap compliant, the administration said; the final effect on district reserves will depend on the state budget signed by the governor and actual 2024–25 year‑end balances.

What officials said and did: Terranova thanked board members for local advocacy with state representatives and said the board’s outreach could improve the district’s share of state aid. Griffin said the district is aligning BOCES and contractual lines with actual spending to make aid more predictable. The administration told the board there is a remaining budget gap of roughly $3.5 million to $4 million between current expense projections and projected revenues; the plan is to use current‑year contingency and unspent balances to close that gap if state aid is lower than projected.

Public comment: Resident William Martz urged the board to provide residents accurate enrollment data before budget votes. Martz said Victor’s K–12 enrollment peaked at 4,334 in 2015 and is now about 191 students below that peak; he said more recent graduating classes have fallen from roughly 340 to about 315–320 students, and he argued the district should not justify spending increases by claiming enrollment is growing.

Other formal actions: The board also approved the Art Club trip to Paris and London (Feb. 13–22, 2026), authorized the ROC (RIC1 Risk Operations Center) to negotiate data‑privacy agreements on Victor’s behalf, and completed second and final readings and approvals of two district policies (Compulsory Attendance policy 5130 and Student Records policy 5500). The board received a brief demonstration and gave staff a preliminary go‑ahead to pursue Diligent Community (formerly BoardDocs) to replace the district’s agenda/policy portal; that purchase is budgeted and expected to be BOCES‑aidable.

Votes at a glance: - 2025–26 Proposed Budget: Motion to adopt the budget of $109,771,405 (mover: Lisa; second: Carol). Roll call: Mr. Schneider — Yes; Mr. DeLucia — Yes; Mrs. Kostecki — Yes; Mrs. Prescott — Yes; Dr. Parks — Yes. Outcome: approved. - Art Club trip (Paris/London, Feb. 13–22, 2026): Motion carried (mover: Christopher; second: Carol). Outcome: approved. - Authorization for RIC1 Risk Operations Center to negotiate data‑privacy agreements: Motion carried (mover: Lisa; second: not specified). Outcome: approved. - Policy 5130 (Compulsory Attendance — ages): Motion carried (mover: Adam; second: Lisa). Outcome: approved (second and final reading). - Policy 5500 (Student Records): Motion carried (mover: Christopher; second: Adam). Outcome: approved (second and final reading).

What’s next: The district will post final budget information for voter review and hold a budget hearing and candidate forum May 6. Voters will decide the budget and board election May 20. The administration will continue to monitor the state budget and finalize the 2024–25 fund‑balance and contingency figures before the fiscal year closes.

Context: Christine Griffin explained that many BOCES purchases are eligible for an aid rate of roughly 65% the following year; shifting purchases through BOCES can therefore reduce net local cost when properly timed. The administration emphasized that adoption of the spending plan does not change the district’s tax cap calculation; final aid levels and year‑end balances determine whether contingency or reserves are used to balance the district’s books.