Victor Central projects $7.66 million 2026–27 shortfall; officials say no program cuts or layoffs next year

Officials for the Victor Central School District presented the 2026–27 personnel budget and said the district faces a projected shortfall of $7,658,869, driven primarily by rising health insurance and other non‑discretionary costs.

“We are not going to reduce any student programming. We are not laying off any staff or teachers,” the meeting’s opening speaker said, describing an intent to preserve class‑size parameters and existing programs while balancing the fiscal challenge.

The district said expenses are increasing at nearly 7% while projected revenue is rising about 3.38%, creating a structural gap officials said will not be closed with a single action. Health insurance alone was presented as a major driver — described as rising about 15.19%, or roughly $3.1 million — and was called out as consuming roughly 87% of the district’s projected revenue increase for 2026–27.

Administration described a three‑part short‑term strategy: use built contingency/reserves, pursue targeted efficiencies (largely via strategic attrition), and seek additional revenue where feasible. The presenters said a contingency of roughly $7 million created at the end of the current year will cover most of the coming year’s shortfall, but warned that reserves can no longer be relied on as an ongoing fix.

“We expect to have between $6.88 million and $7 million available at the close of the school year to help balance the 2026–27 budget,” the presenter said, noting total reserves (capital and operating) were reported at about $10.1 million at the end of FY2025 and that operating reserves alone are now smaller than the projected gap.

Officials said they will prioritize preserving classroom programs and staffing. Christine, who led the personnel presentation, said the district plans to capture savings through attrition (retirement, resignation, transfer) rather than layoffs and to realign staff to reflect enrollment trends. Projected total enrollment for 2026–27 was presented at 416 students, a net decrease of about 10 students from the current year with the largest declines at the elementary level.

The administration detailed specific staffing moves presented as efficiencies: eight elementary general‑education positions and one secondary science teacher to be identified through attrition, with reinvestment targeted to high‑impact areas such as specials and world language. The presentation also proposed adding a 0.4 FTE in technology and a 0.6 FTE in world language to meet scheduling needs.

A district finance slide provided a consolidated view of the proposed 2026–27 expenditures and noted the budget drivers beyond insurance: fringe benefits (about 29% of overall expenditures and rising), salaries (about $70 million or roughly 63% of the budget), BOCES lines (reported increases pending final figures from Wayne‑Finger Lakes BOCES), and rising tuition/specialized placement costs. Administration said running newly developed early‑college access coursework through BOCES and local colleges (FLCC, MCC) could cost about $38,000 but generate roughly $190,000 in aid, a planned strategy to maximize available aid.

During questions, board members sought detail about how part‑time positions add up to full‑time equivalents and whether teacher overloads (extra sections) are being used as an efficiency. Dave, a finance/HR presenter, said two part‑time positions “can be” equivalent to a 1.0 FTE depending on how they are filled and that overloads are used at times; presenters emphasized overloads are compensated and subject to contract limits (secondary teachers can be assigned up to six sections) and that the district aims to minimize overloads because of workload and morale concerns.

Administration repeated key process dates: the board’s adoption of the 2026–27 budget was listed for April 16 (date presented in the meeting slides), a public budget hearing and “meet the candidates” event for May 5, and the budget vote and Board of Education election for May 19. Officials said a further budget update will be provided in a subsequent meeting.

What’s next: the district will continue to refine BOCES and other projected lines as vendor and aid numbers finalize, monitor state budgeting and aid decisions, and provide updated fiscal information at the next scheduled update. The presenters stressed the district’s stated short‑term commitment not to cut programs or lay off staff for 2026–27, while acknowledging the need for longer‑term revenue or cost changes to address the structural deficit.