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Williamsville budget preview: $8.9 million in projected increases and $1.2 million repair‑reserve request
Summary
Acting assistant superintendent Dr. Chris McGinley presented a preliminary budget Jan. 13 that would raise next year’s spending roughly $8.9 million (3.67%), driven by salaries, health insurance, BOCES and transportation; the board was also asked to authorize up to $1.2 million in repair‑reserve projects.
The Williamsville Central School District on Jan. 13 received a preliminary budget presentation that projects next year’s spending rising by roughly $8.9 million (about 3.67%), driven by employee salaries, an 8% health‑insurance increase and higher BOCES and transportation costs.
Dr. Chris McGinley, acting assistant superintendent for finance and management services, told the board the district’s current budget is $242,719,867 and that required expense increases total about $8,767,108, which would put a preliminary budget near $251,482,975 (a 3.61% increase). Including proposed program enhancements the district estimates a total increase of about $8,913,108 (about 3.67%). McGinley identified major pressure points as employee salaries (nearly $4 million), health insurance (+$2,092,360), BOCES (+$1,600,000) and outsourced student‑transportation increases (about $1,125,674).
During the public comment period resident James Hanley asked why the bus transportation line is rising by roughly 12%—an increase he estimated at about $1.1 million versus the $600,000 previously anticipated. McGinley explained the district contracts with Student Transportation of America (STA) and that mandated special‑education transportation needs, small‑bus runs and insurance are among the drivers of higher costs.
McGinley also presented a repair reserve request not to exceed $1,200,000 for nonroutine projects including refinishing the East High gym floor, repaving portions of Casey Middle School’s parking lot and replacing a server‑room air‑conditioning unit; the district currently reports $5,153,809 in repair reserves and said the projects could be funded with no impact on the general operating budget. Architectural services for the proposed work are estimated at $62,500.
McGinley cautioned the numbers are preliminary and that revenue estimates from the state (including the governor’s budget release) and finalized BOCES costs could change the district’s calculations; the tax‑cap calculation and preliminary estimates will be updated at the next board meeting.
