Williamsville officials warn expenses outpacing revenues in long-range financial plan

Acting assistant superintendent for finance and management services Dr. Chris McGinley presented the district’s long-range financial plan on Dec. 9, telling the board that Williamsville’s revenue mix and rising costs will require adjustments in coming years.

McGinley said the tax levy represents about 61.15% of revenue, state aid about 28.81% and sales tax about 5.9%, meaning the tax levy and state aid together drive roughly 90% of the district’s funding. He reported projected average annual revenue increases of roughly $5.1 million across the plan and average expenditure increases of roughly $10.2 million per year. Salary and benefits were highlighted as the largest expenditure pressures, with assumptions including an average 4.5% salary increase and continuing higher benefit costs. Transportation costs were noted as an additional pressure, and McGinley said the district’s current transportation contract ends in June 2029.

On staffing, the district’s staffing-projections report for 2026–27 shows a net increase of one full-time-equivalent position (detailed as down 3 FTEs at elementary, up 1 FTE at middle, down 1 FTE at high school and 4 FTEs held for unprojected needs). The written reports and fuller tables are available in the board packet on BoardDocs.

McGinley urged the board and community to note that revenues are largely driven by state formulas and the tax levy, and that continued wage and benefit growth will put pressure on the fund balance and future budgets. He recommended moderating fund-balance use and planning for contract renewals and benefit-cost volatility.

No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting; the presentation was provided to inform upcoming budget planning and public discussion.