Fairport CSD presents 2025‑26 draft budget with $3.5 million shortfall; benefits and health‑insurance costs drive majority of increase

The Fairport Central School District presented the first draft of its 2025‑26 instructional budget at the March 18 board meeting, showing a proposed total budget near $165.7 million, a $5.9 million (3.71%) increase in expenses and a projected $2.4 million increase in revenue — producing a funding shortfall of approximately $3.5 million at this stage of the process.

Matt Stevens, the district’s treasurer (speaking in his final weeks before a job transition), reviewed the figures for the board. Stevens said the district recorded beginning general‑fund cash of about $118.5 million, receipts in the month of roughly $7.1 million and disbursements of $31.3 million (for an ending cash balance of about $94.3 million). He said a $17.9 million transfer to the capital fund in the period reflected approved 2023 projects and that the district recognizes state aid and property tax as the largest revenue sources.

Stevens and superintendent Brett Provenzano attributed the bulk of…