Webster board approves transportation and capital-reserve propositions; reviews tax-cap and UPK changes

The Webster Central School District Board of Education voted on several budget- and facilities-related measures at its Feb. 3 regular meeting and heard staff briefings on the district’s tax-levy limit and the state budget outlook.

The board approved a transportation proposition, which staff said omits an electric vehicle this year because the district lacks charging infrastructure and instead prioritizes two wheelchair-capacity buses and mini-buses with integrated restraint systems. The proposition passed on a roll-call vote of the board members present.

The board also voted to put a voter-approved capital reserve proposition on the May ballot. District staff framed the reserve as a tool to pay for non-aidable work, reduce borrowing and cover the local share of building projects; staff cited a recent building-condition survey estimating around $323.7 million in total facility needs across district buildings. The capital-reserve proposition was sent to the ballot by roll-call vote.

Earlier in the meeting, the board approved a property-loss resolution tied to the district’s insurance renewal, which officials said could improve long-term negotiation leverage with carriers. That resolution passed on a voice vote.

In an extended budget briefing, district staff walked through the tax-levy limit formula and projected a tax-levy limitation of about 3.39% for 2026–27, explained as the combination of the growth factor and the CPI default. "So 2% slightly above 1 gets us to, you know, add them together, we're at 3.39%," the presenter said while walking through the calculations.

Staff reviewed the governor's 2026–27 budget proposal including an additional $779 million statewide for foundation aid and a 1% minimum increase for many districts. The presenter highlighted proposed changes to UPK funding: base per-pupil aid moving toward $10,000 and a proposal that, beginning in 2028–29, slots be full-day — a change district staff described as beneficial but subject to state-level finalization.

On transportation, a board official said, "we're not purchasing an EV bus this go around, because we have no place to plug it in," explaining the decision to delay an electric-bus purchase until charging infrastructure is available.

The board moved the proposed 2026–27 school calendar to a second reading and closed the formal agenda after public comment. During visitor speaking time, a resident urged the district to pursue operational reviews to cut waste and offered pro bono Lean Six Sigma services as an example of cost-saving assistance.

All propositions and motions noted were approved by the board at the Feb. 3 meeting; the district will present the capital-reserve question to voters in May.