PCSD Budget Information

The Pittsford Central School District 2023-2024 School Budget Passed.
Thank you to the PCSD community for your support.

The results are as follows:  1,870 total voters

Budget: $155,512,452 within the tax cap

Yes: 1,506

No: 360

Proposition 1:  Purchase 12 replacement buses, two replacement vehicles, and communication equipment used in the operation of buses from “Capital Reserve Fund - Purchase of Buses.”

Yes: 1,588

No: 280

Proposition 2:  Establish a “Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund” for the purpose of financing the purchase of school buses and vehicles and transferring the balance of the existing “Bus Capital Reserve Fund” (approved by voters in 2015) into said fund.

Yes: 1,542

No: 324

Proposition 3:  Establish a “Swimming Facilities Capital Reserve Fund” for the purpose of financing District swimming pools, including the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment, apparatus or furnishings required for the purposes thereof.

Yes: 1,521

No: 339

Board of Education: Two Seats, Two Candidates                  

Kim Huels:  1,573 votes

Robin V. Scott:  1,476 votes   (incumbent)                                                                                                                  

2023-2024 Budget Vote and School Board Election
May 16, 2023 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Barker Road Middle School Gymnasium 

Maintains and Enhances Programs and Services
The 2023-24 budget maintains all instructional programs for students, enhances mental health services and reflects a large decrease in the District’s debt service related to capital project financing. Decisions were guided by the Board of Education’s Budget Guidelines which are student-based, provide high-quality professional learning, and are sensitive to limited resources and maintaining fiscal stability into the future.

The proposed budget continues the work of the current year with a focus on student needs and support services addressing learning gaps, and upgrades in safety and security. The District continues to invest funds in technology and has completed the 1:1 device initiative which allows every student to have access to a laptop/iPad. An increase in enrollment for BOCES programs, including career and technical education, is also factored into the budget.

Inflationary pressure has impacted the budget for supplies, materials and contractual expenses, such as utilities and fuel. The labor shortage continues to impact transportation which has resulted in higher expenses for contract transportation. A long-range financial plan has been created to guide future decisions in light of the uncertain economic environment.

Tax Levy Increase of .08% is Lowest Since Tax Cap Inception
The Property Tax Cap for PCSD is .08% as calculated by the New York State Property Tax Levy Cap Formula. While commonly referred to as the “2% Tax Cap,” (because the law limits one factor of a complex formula to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less) the maximum Tax Levy Limit may be higher or lower than 2% depending on each school District’s allowable formula adjustments and exemptions.

NYS Foundation Aid Funded after Many Years of Advocacy
Until the 2021-22 fiscal year, New York State (NYS) has consistently underfunded NYS schools’ general operating aid known as “Foundation Aid.” Each year the formula and actual aid paid became increasingly inequitable. In 2022-23, an effort was made to finally provide school districts with the remaining balance of what was owed in Foundation Aid. After a decade of advocacy by the Pittsford Board of Education, the District expects to be paid the full amount of Foundation Aid under the formula that was legislatively approved in 2007. The District has budgeted a Foundation Aid increase of $4.8 million and has outlined a plan on how this additional state funding will be spent based on the requirement set forth by legislation. The spending plan is available for review on the District’s website (pittsfordschools.org) and has been reviewed with the District Planning Team.

Three Propositions:

Propositions will NOT result in additional taxes or issuance of debt

• Proposition 1: Capital Reserve Fund - Purchase of Buses 
  Authorization to withdraw from the “Capital Reserve Fund - Purchase of Buses” (savings account) a sum of money not to exceed $1,794,696 to be used for the purchase of twelve replacement buses, two replacement vehicles and communications equipment used in the operation of such buses. Using reserves for this purchase will generate approximately $1.2 million in State Aid. This is the last year that this reserve can be used which has necessitated the need for Proposition 2 below.
   
• Proposition 2: Capital Reserve Fund - Transportation Vehicles
  Authorization to establish a “Transportation Vehicles Reserve Fund” (savings account) for the purpose of financing the purchase of school buses and vehicles by the District, with the ultimate amount of such reserve fund not exceeding $50,000,000, including the transfer of the entire balance of the existing “Capital Reserve Fund - Purchase of Buses” approved by voters on May 19, 2015.
  This reserve will also prepare for the purchase of electric buses which are expected to cost over $500,000 per bus. The District is currently working on a three-year infrastructure plan to prepare the facilities for the implementation of new electric buses ahead of the state mandated schedule of 2027. Additional capital project improvements will be needed to fully convert the current bus fleet to all electric buses by 2035. That work would be paid from a separate reserve fund (savings account).
   
• Proposition 3: Capital Reserve Fund - Swimming Facilities
  Authorization to establish a “Swimming Facilities Reserve Fund” (savings account) for the purpose of financing District swimming pools, including the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment, apparatus or furnishings required for the purposes thereof, with the ultimate amount of such reserve fund not exceeding $40,000,000. This is part of the District’s long-range facilities plan that was fully discussed during the recent capital project vote.
   

Two Candidates for Two Board of Education Seats
There are two candidates running for two Board of Education seats. The candidates are listed below as they will appear on the ballot per legal drawing order: 

Kim Huels 25 Northfield Gate Pittsford, NY 14534 electkimhuels@gmail.com 585-203-7328

• Seeking first term on the Board of Education
• Substitute Teacher for PCSD, including long-term substitute positions (2019 - present)
• Pittsford PTSA District Treasurer and Super Sale Co-Chair
• Events Committee volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester
• Served as Pittsford PTSA President (2017 - 2019) and Mendon Center Elementary PTSA Building Chair (2015 - 2017)
• Co-founded Pittsford Cares to advocate and secure funding for Full-Day Kindergarten at Pittsford Schools
• Served as parent representative on PCSD Advocacy Team and Pittsford Partnership for Community Education
• Former Cub Scouts Den Leader, Odyssey of the Mind coach, Mustangs Soccer USL Grade Level Coordinator
• B.A. in English and Secondary Education Certification from SUNY Geneseo
• Parent of two children who attend Barker Road Middle School and Mendon High School
   

Robin V. Scott 18 Bay Colony Drvie Pittsford, NY 14534 robin_scott@pittsford.monroe.edu 585-385-4343

• Seeking second term on the Board of Education
• Currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Education
• Member of the PCSD Audit Oversight Committee, Community Engagement Team and Town/Village/School District Leadership Committee
• Served on the Monroe County School Board Association (MCSBA) Information Exchange and Legislative committees
• Served as PTSA President-Elect, Vice President of the Education Council, Chair of Enrichment Grants, District PTSA Secretary and Thornell Road School Building Chair
• Served as a member of the District Planning Team, Inclusivity Advisory Committee, Code of Conduct Review committee, Teacher Center Policy Board and Interview Committees
• Participated in District professional development and diversity workshops and training sessions
• Served with the Rochester chapters of Links Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Girl Scouts of Western New York
• Recipient of the 2020 PTSA Honorary Life Membership Award
• M.A. from University of Michigan in Near Eastern studies; B.A. from Rhodes College in International Studies
• Parent of one child who graduated from Mendon High School

Contingent Budget
Per NYS law, school boards can submit a budget to the voters a maximum of two times, then a “Contingent Budget” must be implemented. If the proposed budget is defeated once, the Board may conduct a revote or go straight to a Contingent Budget. NYS law requires that a Contingent Budget not include certain non-ordinary contingent expenses AND that the new budget must have a Tax Levy that is not greater than the previous year’s Tax Levy. The Board of Education is charged with determining a Contingent Budget. A Contingent Budget would result in a reduction of over $1.1 million in budget support, resulting in a potential reduction in programs and services.

Absentee Ballot Election
Voting will be in person. For absentee ballots

Voter Identification Required
Qualified voters must be: U.S. citizens, residents of the District for at least 30 days prior to the election, and 18 years of age or older. Proof of residency may include the following valid and current documents: New York State driver’s license; New York State non-driver identification card; utility bill; or voter registration card. Voters shall also be required to provide their signature and printed name.

The development of a school district’s budget is a thoughtful, year-long, multi-faceted process that includes careful long-term planning, budget preparation, presentation, review by the Board of Education and community members, formal budget adoption, further sharing with the community, and Board election. During this process there are a variety of meetings held by the Board of Education including Budget Work Sessions which are used by the Board of Education to gather information and ask questions about particular sections of the budget. These sessions are held outside of regular Board of Education meetings. Most decisions will be discussed during these sessions, however, formal action is only taken during Board of Education meetings.

The Pittsford Central School District community is invited and encouraged to attend and observe these sessions as they are open to the public. Community members will have the opportunity to comment at the subsequent regular Board of Education meetings, during the time allotted for public comment. All meetings take place in the Barker Road Middle School McCluski Room.

Meeting Schedule for 2023-24 Budget Development

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Work Session. Work Sessions are used by the Board of Education to gather information and ask questions about particular sections of the budget. These sessions are held outside of regular Board of Education meetings and are used to develop the budget. Most decisions will be discussed during these sessions, however, formal action is only taken during Board of Education meetings.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Work Session

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room              
Budget Work Session

Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 7 - 9 p.m.*
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room              
*Pending NYS Budget
Budget Adoption and Regular Board of Education Meeting. Budget Adoption is placed on the agenda of the regular Board of Education meeting. During this meeting, the Board of Education formally votes to adopt the budget created during the Budget Work Sessions.

Thursday, May 4, 2023, 7 - 9 p.m. - Cancelled due to uncontested election.  
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room                          
PTSA Meet the Board of Education Candidates Night

Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 7 - 9 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Hearing and Regular Board of Education Meeting. The Public Budget Hearing is the formal presentation of the Board of Education’s adopted budget which will later be voted on by residents at the annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School Gymnasium
Budget Vote and Board Election. Voter identification is required.

The Pittsford Central School District 2022-2023 School Budget Passed. Thank you to the PCSD community for your support.

The results are as follows: 3,466 total voters

Budget: $149,598,788, within the tax cap

Yes: 2,419

No: 998

Proposition 1:  Purchase 12 Replacement Buses from Bus Purchase Capital Reserve Fund

Yes: 2,726

No: 686

Proposition 2:  1:1 Device Purchases with Capital Technology Reserve

Yes: 2,753

No: 661

Board of Education: Two Seats, Four Candidates

Nancy Clifford Lewis:  955 votes

David Berk: 1,534 votes

Emily Kay: 1,937 votes

Tricia González-Johnson: 1,333 votes      

2022-2023 Budget Vote and School Board Election
May 17, 2022 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Barker Road Middle School Gymnasium

Maintains and Enhances Programs and Services
The proposed 2022-2023 budget was developed with the assumption that programs and student needs will continue to evolve in the “post-pandemic” climate. Decisions were guided by the Board of Education’s Budget Guidelines, are student-based, provide high-quality professional learning, and are sensitive to limited resources and maintaining fiscal stability into the future. The proposed budget continues the work of the current year with a focus on student needs, social-emotional support services, addressing learning gaps, and continuous improvement in the areas of diversity, equity & inclusion. This work is largely accomplished through necessary investment in social-emotional health supports.

The budget and District operations continue to be challenged by personnel shortages and substantially increasing costs for goods and services, coupled with supply chain delays. Therefore, the proposed budget also keeps a cautious eye to the future.

Within the Property Tax Cap of 2.53%
The Property Tax Cap for PCSD is 2.53% as calculated by the New York State Property Tax Levy Cap Formula. While commonly referred to as the “2% Tax Cap” (because the law limits one factor of a complex formula to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less), the maximum Tax Levy Limit may be higher or lower than 2% depending on each school district’s allowable formula adjustments and exemptions.

NYS Foundation Aid Following Many Years of Advocacy
Until the 2021-22 fiscal year, NYS has consistently underfunded NYS school Foundation (General Operating) Aid. Each year the formula and actual aid paid became increasingly inequitable. The recent result was that some schools were receiving 120% of what the law would provide while high performing districts like Pittsford (whose residents are above-average income earners) were receiving approximately 54% annually of what the law prescribed. Commencing in 2021-2022, NYS committed to moving annually underfunded districts to 100% over a three-year “phase-in.” The 2022-2023 NYS Budget continues this commitment, with PCSD receiving 78% of what the law prescribed, resulting in a $3.8 million increase in Foundation Aid. While it is highly unlikely that NYS will pay PCSD the $101 million it owes in arrears from the previous fifteen years, this year’s increase was paramount to addressing the learning, behavior and social-emotional needs coming out of the pandemic -- a unique level of funding to match a unique level of student needs.

Education for All
In order to address the heightened needs of students and the effects of the pandemic on learning and social-emotional health, the 2022-2023 Proposed Budget takes into account the need for continuing education and professional development of District personnel.

In support of its commitment to continuous improvement, PCSD will continue its work related to the Code of Conduct, restorative practices, diversity equity & inclusion (DEI), one-to-one student devices, and developing curriculum and professional development to enhance instructional effectiveness.

Two Propositions: Propositions will NOT result in additional taxes or issuance of debt

• Proposition 1 - Purchase of Buses 
  Authorization to withdraw from the “Capital Reserve Fund – Purchase of Buses” (savings account) a sum of $1,578,192 to be used for the purchase of 12 replacement buses. Using reserves for this purchase will generate approximately $930,000 in State Aid to replenish the Reserve.
   
• Proposition 2 - Capital Reserve Fund - Instructional Technology
  Authorization to withdraw from the “Capital Reserve Fund – Instructional Technology” (savings account) a sum of $725,000 to be used for the purchase of student technology devices (laptop computers, iPads and related software, supplies and infrastructure) to supplement a 1:1 student technology learning program and replace beyond-useful life devices, used in the grades six through nine instructional program.

Four Candidates for Two Board of Education Seats

There are four candidates running for two Board of Education seats. The candidates are listed below as they will appear on the ballot per legal drawing order:

          Nancy Clifford Lewis
          Dave Berk
          Emily Kay
          Tricia González-Johnson

For biographies please visit: Board of Education Candidates

Contingent Budget
Per NYS law, school boards can submit a budget to the voters a maximum of two times, then a “Contingent Budget” must be implemented. If the proposed budget is defeated once, the Board may conduct a revote or go straight to a Contingent Budget. NYS law requires that a Contingent Budget not include certain non-ordinary contingent expenses AND that the new budget must have a Tax Levy that is not greater than the previous year’s Tax Levy. The Board of Education is charged with determining a Contingent Budget. A Contingent Budget would result in an almost $2.7 million reduction in budget support, resulting in a potential reduction in programs and services.

Absentee Ballot Election
Absentee ballot applications must be returned by May 16, 2022, to the District Clerk at 75 Barker Rd., Pittsford, NY 14534.

Voters may fill out an application and ballot in person on or before May 16 between 8:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Ballots can be accepted up until 5 p.m. on the day of the vote, May 17, 2022, as long as the absentee ballot application is on file.

To learn more or to download the absentee ballot application, please visit www.pittsfordschools.org/absenteeballot. Please contact the District Clerk at deborah_carpenter@pittsford.monroe.edu or 267-1005 if you have any questions.

Voter Identification Required
Qualified voters must be: U.S. citizens, residents of the District for at least 30 days prior to the election, and 18 years of age or older. Proof of residency may include the following valid and current documents: New York State driver’s license; New York State non-driver identification card; utility bill; or voter registration card. Voters shall also be required to provide their signature and printed name.

COVID-19 health protocols will be followed.

The development of a school district’s budget is a thoughtful, year-long, multi-faceted process that includes careful long-term planning, budget preparation, presentation, review by the Board of Education and community members, formal budget adoption, further sharing with the community, and Board election. During this process there are a variety of meetings held by the Board of Education including Budget Work Sessions which are used by the Board of Education to gather information and ask questions about particular sections of the budget. These sessions are held outside of regular Board of Education meetings. Most decisions will be discussed during these sessions, however, formal action is only taken during Board of Education meetings.

The Pittsford Central School District community is invited and encouraged to attend and observe these sessions as they are open to the public. Community members will have the opportunity to comment at the subsequent regular Board of Education meetings, during the time allotted for public comment. All meetings take place in the Barker Road Middle School McCluski Room.

Due to COVID-19, public attendance/participation at Board meetings may be virtual. On the day of a Board meeting, links will be posted to the District website at pittsfordschools.org for the public to use for viewing/listening, participation in the public comment section of the Board meeting, and closed captioning.

Meeting Schedule for 2022-23 Budget Development

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Work Session. Work Sessions are used by the Board of Education to gather information and ask questions about particular sections of the budget. These sessions are held outside of regular Board of Education meetings and are used to develop the budget. Most decisions will be discussed during these sessions, however, formal action is only taken during Board of Education meetings.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Work Session

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 6 - 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room              
Budget Work Session.

NEW DATE
Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 7 p.m.*
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room              
*Pending NYS Budget
Budget Adoption and Regular Board of Education Meeting. Budget Adoption is placed on the agenda of the regular Board of Education meeting. During this meeting, the Board of Education formally votes to adopt the budget created during the Budget Work Sessions. (The March 29 and April 12 Board of Education Meeting dates are canceled.)

Thursday, May 5, 2022, 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room                          
PTSA Meet the Board of Education Candidates Night.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 2021, 7 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School, McCluski Room
Budget Hearing and Regular Board of Education Meeting. The Public Budget Hearing is the formal presentation of the Board of Education’s adopted budget which will later be voted on by residents at the annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Barker Road Middle School Gymnasium
Budget Vote and Board Election. Voter identification is required.