Advocacy

Dear PCSD Community,

We need your help. Our District Advocacy Team is comprised of teacher, clerical, parent, administrator and Board of Education leadership members. We have met throughout this fall with a focus on advocating for more NYS Foundation Aid, our second highest revenue source. Foundation Aid is the aid all NYS schools receive to fund basic education operations. It accounts for 22% of our total revenue. 

Facts about NYS Foundation Aid with Pittsford Central Schools

• Since 2012 we have been underpaid by over $100 million
   
• PCSD receives the lowest amount of Foundation Aid per student in the county
  (see graph below - Pittsford CSD = $3,772 per student)
   
• Pittsford receives 33.5% lower Foundation Aid than the next Monroe County School District. Despite inflation, cessation of federal COVID funds, minimum wage increases, and costs of energy, PCSD received only $10,737 in additional Foundation Aid this year which equates to $1.75 per student.

Data Source: 2024-25 State Aid Projections 2024-25 & Monroe County SBA Facts & Figures 2024

The Problem
Our primary revenue source is capped annually (tax cap) and we are not receiving an additional amount of NYS Foundation Aid necessary to maintain programs. 

Current Status
Without a change to NYS Foundation Aid, we will not be able to provide the exceptional educational experiences and robust programming that we are accustomed to and that our students deserve.  As we begin the budget process for next year, we are forced to actualize $1.5 million in reductions. At the same time, we are advocating for a consistent and predictable increase in NYS Foundation Aid.  While we will use additional reserves (savings accounts) to offset the lack of revenue from NYS, this is not a sustainable practice and will adversely affect future budgets. 

 Our Beliefs
We strive to continue our tradition of staying under the tax cap. Pittsford District taxpayers pay their fair share to support an educational program that is high performing and responsive to student needs. It is time to have a consistent, predictable state aid formula from NYS elected officials that we can all support and be proud of.  Our community should not have to pay more taxes because the NYS budget is not honoring its pledge to have the foundational aid formula fully run for Pittsford.   

 Advocacy Campaign
Many of our District leaders will be meeting with members of the New York State Assembly/Senate, Governor’s Office and NYS Education Department to share data regarding our lack of funding and request an appropriate and fair increase in NYS Foundation Aid. 

Action
Our District Advocacy Team is asking you to advocate with us by contacting legislators via phone, email, mail or personal meetings.  Enclosed in this package is a sample letter you can feel free to use. Also included below is a link to find your NYS elected official and their contact information: