Penfield board reviews draft $128.5M budget, approves phase‑3 bids and small change orders

The Penfield Central School District presented a second draft of the 2025–26 budget and approved contract awards for its phase‑3 capital project and several small change orders during the April 8 meeting.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Driffill told the board the proposed 2025–26 budget is projected at about $128,500,000, an increase of roughly $8.8 million (about 7.5%) over the current year’s budget of $119,600,000. The district plans to propose a tax levy increase of $2,300,000, or about 3.33%, while noting the district could raise up to $3,200,000 (4.54%) under the statutory formula but did not plan to use the full allowance.

Dr. Driffill said personnel costs and employee benefits are the primary drivers of the increase; he noted that roughly $6.2 million of the increase is linked to wages and benefits, with benefits accounting for about $3.2 million. The draft budget includes several proposed hires: four teaching positions added earlier in the process (two special education teachers at Bay Trail, one special education teacher at the high school and one technology teacher at the high school) and additional anticipated hires before final adoption (a special education teacher at Scribner, another at Harris Hill, an associated teaching assistant and an additional technology services position).

On capital projects, Dr. Driffill reported that phase 3 of the current capital project was approved by the New York State Education Department Office of Facilities Planning and that the bid opening for phase‑3 work was scheduled for the Thursday following the meeting. He described the phase‑3 scope as work at the transportation facility on Five Mile Line, the four elementary buildings and Bay Trail.

During the meeting the board moved to accept bids and award contracts for the project “as recommended by the project architect and construction manager.” The motion carried with the board chair calling, “All in favor, none opposed.” The board also approved the described change orders; that motion likewise passed with unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance • Approval of April 8 agenda: Motion approved (unanimous voice vote). • Resolution to amend superintendent of schools employment agreement: Motion approved (unanimous voice vote). • Consent agenda (various routine items): Approved (unanimous voice vote). • Treasurer’s report (month ending 01/31/2025, multiple fund reports): Approved (unanimous voice vote). • Accept bids and award contracts for phase‑3 project: Approved (motion and second; unanimous). • Approve change orders described on agenda: Approved (motion and second; unanimous).

Dr. Driffill noted state aid remains uncertain pending the New York State budget and that some assumptions in the draft budget are based on Governor Hochul’s January proposals. He said the district hopes for clarity before the board adopts the final budget on April 22, ahead of the May 6 budget hearing and the May 20 budget vote.

Ending: The board will adopt the superintendent’s proposed budget at its next meeting, make the full budget documents available online by April 29, hold a public hearing on May 6 and the budget vote on May 20.