District staff present 2026 budget update; trustees to adopt budget April 8 and vote on May 20

West Seneca Central School District staff reviewed updated figures for the 2026 budget at the board’s March 25 work session and outlined next steps leading to the board’s expected budget adoption on April 8 and the public vote on May 20.

Will Field, a district staff member who presented the slideshow, said the second draft narrows the funding gap from $8.3 million to $5.5 million, a gap that represents roughly 3.31% of appropriations on a $162 million budget. Field said the district is planning conservatively because the New York State budget numbers are not expected before the board adopts its budget. "We do not anticipate receiving firm budget numbers in early April," he said.

The presentation highlighted staffing assumptions. The district currently lists 606 teachers and is planning to keep the teaching complement at that level, Field said; retirements and attrition will require reallocating some FTEs to meet increased needs in special education and English Language Learner (ELL) services. District officials said the B&G and other CSEA categories reflect prior pandemic hires and last year's reductions, and that the draft budget is intended to be staffing neutral.

Updated revenue and cost details flagged several changes: the Teachers' Retirement System employer contribution rate is now estimated at 9.59%; electric costs were raised in the draft to reflect recent price spikes; special‑education tuition projections were reduced because fewer out‑of‑district placements are available, and the district plans a combined reserve of roughly $1.25 million for special‑education placements (a $750,000 internal reserve plus $500,000 elsewhere). Field also said the district will use a $100,000 capital outlay allocation to replace exterior doors at Northwood Elementary and expects approximately 76% state aid on that project.

Staff summarized three propositions voters will see on the May ballot: the annual school district budget; a bus purchase proposition (the district is seeking voter approval to expend up to approximately $1.1 million from an existing bus reserve for replacement and additional buses; staff noted potential tariff‑driven price volatility); and an $8.5 million auditorium infrastructure proposition to address rigging, lighting and sound at the district’s middle and high school auditoriums. Field said the district will adjust the bus proposition language to request authorization by dollar amount only, rather than detailed vehicle descriptions, to retain flexibility if equipment prices or availability change.

Board members asked questions about solar options, the timing and staffing implications of training proposals discussed earlier in the meeting, and whether the district would continue using reserves. Field said the district expects to allocate about $5.5 million of fund balance to the budget this year (down from prior years but still above the district’s historical practice of funding near 2% of appropriations) and that the district hopes to reduce reliance on fund balance over time.

Ending: The board scheduled a final draft budget presentation on April 8 and will hold a public budget hearing in May ahead of the May 20 budget vote. Staff signaled additional public outreach including a community email group and a March 31 budget advisory committee meeting.