Fairport board advances consolidation plans, hears town reassessment briefing and approves personnel, construction items

The Fairport Central School District Board of Education met Sept. 16 and heard extended briefings on the district's consolidation plans for 2026'27, a townwide property revaluation process that could change assessed values, and a set of construction change orders, then approved routine personnel actions, policy second readings and construction resolutions by unanimous votes.

The board's discussion of consolidation focused on moving Minerva DeLand programming and Ballmer Place operations into district facilities, leasing parts of Minerva DeLand to BOCES, and renovating spaces at Martha Brown to accommodate district staff. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Jeremy Nardone said the district is finalizing a lease with BOCES and that renovations and moves will come in phases so district operations and BOCES programs can run in parallel.

"First priority is to get our partners from BOCES in," Nardone said, urging a phased approach that begins with preparing rooms and shared spaces and continuing construction and moves over the next 12'18 months. He estimated an initial movement into Minerva DeLand in January 2027 and said Martha Brown construction is slated to begin in July 2026, but added those dates could shift with construction realities and contracting.

Why it matters: the consolidation is intended to expand student access to high school programming, reduce transportation burdens, and create revenue by leasing underused space. Board members and staff emphasized the work involves a sequence of planning steps, staff surveys about packing and storage needs, and coordination with facilities and outside counsel to complete lease paperwork.

School operations and student voice: student representatives Nora Beralante and Mallory Foote reported on high-school-level matters including a new phone policy the students said has "surprisingly" positive effects in classrooms and hallways, early-season athletic records and upcoming events such as spirit week (Oct. 6'10) and a leadership trip (Sept. 28'Oct. 1). Beralante told the board, "there's more energy because people are talking in the hallways," and both students said construction has been a manageable adjustment so far.

Town reevaluation briefing: Nardone gave a detailed primer on the Town of Perinton's planned reassessment (also called a reevaluation). He summarized the purpose and timeline: proposed assessments typically mail in February; informal reviews occur February'April; the tentative roll is filed May 1; property owners may appeal to the local Board of Assessment Review in late spring; small-claims challenges run into the summer; and final assessment rolls are set ahead of tax billing.

Nardone explained equalization and tax-rate mechanics: "The equalization rate is 57%," he said, describing that as the district's current average assessed-to-market-value ratio and noting that if assessed values equaled market value, the illustrative tax rate would be about $14.99 per $1,000 rather than the roughly $25 per $1,000 sometimes cited. He emphasized reassessments operate on averages: if an owner's assessed value rises by more than the town average, that owner's tax bill could increase; if it rises by less, the owner could see a reduction.

Construction and change orders: the board heard about change-order items on the district's 2023 capital improvement project. LaBella civil engineer Bob Steeler explained the board was being asked to approve product upgrades such as switching from galvanized fencing to black vinyl-coated fencing for greater longevity and lower maintenance.

Consultants and district staff said some of the change orders reflect changed regulatory requirements and market conditions. A project engineer explained that new DEC stormwater/bioretention regulations effective January 2025 required an increase in the engineered sand layer from 24 to 30 inches and gravel from 6 to 10 inches, which affects scope and cost. The project team said bid alternates and favorable market movement left available funds to pay for some enhancements and that they were negotiating to reduce one fencing allowance by about $12,000.

Votes at a glance (all motions listed were approved unless noted): - Motion to approve the posted agenda: approved (vote recorded as "Aye," 5'00). - Motion to approve instructional staff actions (personnel): approved (vote recorded as "Aye," 5'00). - Motion to approve non-instructional and civil-service staff actions: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve athletic staff actions: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve benefit contracts for personnel not covered by a collective bargaining agreement: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve a personnel agreement: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve field trip requests (attached): approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve second readings of listed policies: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve listed fundraisers for Fairport High School and athletics: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve the list of poll workers for the Sept. 30, 2025 capital improvement project vote: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve claims auditor reports for fiscal year 7/1/2024'6/30/2025: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve change-order resolutions for the 2023 capital improvement project (attached): approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to approve the consent calendar: approved (Aye, 5'00). - Motion to enter executive session for personnel matters: approved (Aye, 5'00).

Details and limits: most routine personnel, policy and administrative motions were taken as single-roll-call or voice votes recorded as unanimous (5'00) in the record; the transcript did not record individual yea/nay names. Several motions listed "Bridal" and "Nicole" during the roll call exchange; where mover/second were stated in the transcript they are reflected in the meeting minutes and the board's official record.

What the board directed and next steps: board members asked for more granular budget-rule language tying facilities planning to a prioritized, cyclical plan and key performance indicators. Staff agreed to return a revised draft of draft 2026'27 budget rules for additional comment and to present changes in October. Nardone and facilities staff will provide more detailed estimates on rental revenue from the BOCES lease once the attorneys finalize terms.

The meeting closed with the board moving into executive session on personnel matters; the public record shows the board will reconvene only to adjourn.

Ending: The board encouraged public attendance at an information session about the district's 2025 capital improvement project ("Fairport for the Future") scheduled for Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school cafeteria and reminded the community the capital project vote is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2025.