Fairport board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves tax report card and several routine motions; vote tally 7–0 on key items

The Fairport Central School District Board of Education on April 22 approved the district’s proposed 2025–26 spending plan and a slate of routine motions after a presentation from administrators on revenues, state aid and reserves.

The board voted 7–0 to approve the 2025–26 school budget as presented. The motion as read into the record specified the total budget amount (recorded during the meeting). Board members who moved and seconded the motion were recorded in the meeting minutes; the roll call outcome was announced as a unanimous vote in favor.

Administrators described key points in the recommended budget: a program‑focused spending plan that the district said aligns with board goals for equitable, student‑centered services; a projected 3.45% increase across program, administrative and capital components combined; an estimated tax levy limit of 2.98% (tax‑cap calculation) and steps to use reserves to smooth anticipated cost increases.

Jeremy Nardone, the district treasurer, summarized revenue and reserve strategy. The district plans to maintain a $4.9 million assigned fund balance for 2025–26, and officials reported fund‑balance and reserve levels rising to about $11 million in recent years after pandemic‑era federal funds and other reimbursements. The presentation said the district is preserving reserves while planning to use a portion to offset near‑term costs rather than making immediate staffing reductions.

Key budget figures and assumptions presented to the board included: - Foundation aid: the budget was prepared assuming a roughly 2% state foundation‑aid step; administrators cautioned the final state budget could change the figure and said the district’s current estimate results in a smaller net aid increase than the headline 2% because of prior-year overbudgeting. - Employee benefits: health and dental costs were presented as a major driver, with staff benefits increases highlighted (the presentation cited approximately a $3.5 million increase in health/dental line items). - Retirement contributions: the presentation noted employer rates for ERS (non‑certified staff) were estimated to increase from 15.2% to 16.5%, while TRS (certified staff) employer contributions were estimated to decrease from 10.1% to 9.5%. - Buses: the capital plan includes a 10‑year replacement cycle and a request to acquire nine 70‑passenger replacement buses; the fleet plan allocated a roughly $1.8 million net purchase cost (after trade‑in estimates). The board was informed of a voter proposition the district will present on May 20 to authorize up to $206,000 from an existing bus‑purchase reserve for bus spending (state law requires voter authorization to spend from that reserve).

Other approved motions and votes at the April 22 meeting (all passed by the board where a vote was taken, with the recorded outcome noted below): - Property tax report card (approval of the district’s tax‑reporting form for submission to the state): approved 7–0. - Field trips listed on the consent calendar (including a senior trip): approved 7–0. - Establishment of a girls‑wrestling booster club: approved 7–0. - First and second reads of board policies presented on the agenda: moved forward with required readings (first reads and second reads recorded; formal adoption votes will follow the policy process where applicable). - Donations and gift acceptances presented on the consent calendar: approved 7–0 (administrators said gifts would be allocated per donor intent and school procedures). - Personnel actions: instructional, non‑instructional/civil‑service, athletic staffing actions and a tenure appointment were approved 7–0 as listed on the consent calendar. - Monroe BOCES: the board cast its votes for three Monroe BOCES board candidates and approved the Monroe BOCES administrative budget for 2025–26 (the Monroe BOCES administrative budget motion carried as presented by district representatives).

What the board said Board members emphasized continuity of instructional programs and protecting staff amid financial pressure. Trustees said maintaining programming and not cutting teacher positions were priorities when shaping the budget; administrators said they aimed to keep class‑size targets and core services intact while managing benefit and safety‑security cost increases.

Next steps and calendar The district scheduled a public hearing on the 2025–26 budget for May 6, a “meet the candidates” event for school‑board seats on May 7, and the annual budget vote and board election on May 20. The board also will bring propositions to voters as required, including the bus reserve authorization.

Documentation The district presented detailed budget slides that included enrollment trends, state‑aid assumptions, tax‑cap calculations, reserve and fund‑balance history, and proposed capital and program allocations. Administrators warned that several figures depend on the final state budget and ongoing contract work with collective‑bargaining units.