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Pittsford Central details budget squeeze as board approves $2.4M bus and $500K tech propositions
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff told the board that a sharp health‑insurance cost increase and other undistributed expenses left a $1.5M gap even after about $600K in new foundation aid; trustees voted to place a $2.4M bus purchase and a $500K instructional‑technology reserve spend before voters, both funded from reserves with no tax‑levy impact.
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Pittsford Central School District administrators told the board on March 11 that this year’s budget is being squeezed largely by rising employee‑benefit costs, and the board approved placing two reserve‑fund propositions before district voters.
Superintendent Pero said the district’s advocacy this year helped secure “just over $600,000 in foundation aid,” but that the amount did not eliminate a remaining shortfall of about $1.5 million as the district worked to stay within the state tax cap. Trustees were presented with the superintendent’s central administration budget (0.93% of operating expense), building budgets that rise 0.4% overall, and the larger undistributed fund picture driven by benefits and debt service.
The treasurer presented a capital reserve proposition authorizing the spending of $2,400,000 from the board’s bus replacement reserve to buy 14 gas‑ and diesel‑powered buses (eight 66‑passenger and six 36‑passenger vehicles). Officials said the purchase would come from existing reserves, have no impact on the district’s tax levy, and carry an anticipated state‑aid reimbursement of roughly $1.2 million; the presenters estimated an annual net cost of about $158,000 after aid. The motion to accept the capital‑reserve bus purchase proposition passed by voice vote.
Board members also approved a $500,000 expenditure from the district’s instructional‑technology reserve for replacement of one‑to‑one devices, likewise to be presented to voters. The administration characterized that ask as a draw from savings with no levy impact.
Administrators stressed that, notwithstanding those reserve draws, the district faces longer‑term pressures: the undistributed budget includes debt‑service obligations and interfund transfers, and health‑insurance costs have been unusually volatile. The presentations showed a mid‑year insurance increase adopted at 14.4% and noted that health coverage was the single largest driver of budget pressures this year. Administrators said they were modeling scenarios to sustain programs while preserving long‑term reserves.
The board approved the propositions and several related procedural items during the meeting; the superintendent said the recommended proposed budget will be presented on April 8 and the public hearing and vote will follow the district timeline.
