Victor Central School District financial staff briefed the board Thursday on budget development items related to transportation, security and operations and maintenance as the district prepares the 2025–26 budget.

The presentation, led by the district’s business official (introduced as Mr. Stutzman), said transportation costs were rising because of overtime and a shortage of bus drivers. The presentation noted equipment costs and recurring maintenance for new bus camera systems and radios; it also said the district has contracted outside transportation providers to cover routes for students under McKinney‑Vento and other needs.

Stutzman said the total transportation budget for 2024–25 was roughly $5.0 million and that about $260,000 was reallocated to contractual costs in 2025–26 to cover ongoing maintenance and service fees for camera and radio systems. He said the district plans a bus proposition on the May ballot to replace aging vehicles: estimated replacement cycle is about 10 years and the May proposal would seek funding for a fleet purchase (estimate shared in presentation was $1,520,7304 — district staff noted the estimate and will review it in forthcoming fiscal planning meetings).

On security, the presentation said the district had previously used an outside company for event coverage; that vendor is no longer in business, so the district shifted money from contractual to overtime salary lines to have in‑house staff provide event coverage. "Our security guys know our kids," Stutzman said when explaining the budget shift.

Operations and maintenance figures were presented as generally flat on salaries, with contractual items rising and supplies reflecting normal inflationary pressures. The district also described moving a capital outlay item to a BOCES contract to obtain BOCES aid (a higher aid ratio) for replacing door card readers; staff said the project cost is approximately $198,000 over two years and that moving the line to BOCES could allow the district to recover roughly $0.65 on the dollar.

Officials said the governor’s proposed state aid figures were expected soon and that revenue numbers would inform budget recommendations. The board calendar outlined meetings for building‑level budgets in late January and February, tax‑cap calculation work in February, personnel updates in March and a final budget adoption by mid‑April, ahead of a May 20 vote.

No formal budget actions were taken at the meeting. Board members asked clarifying questions about security coverage, the capital outlay/BOCES transfer and the use of contractual providers to cover staff shortages.