Sample Resident Letter to Legislators

Dear Governor Hochul,

Thank you for your service to our state.

I am writing to you about the diversion of funds away from basic K-12 education funding.

While the consumer price index for public education expenses rose by about 3% last year, Pittsford Central School District (PCSD) has only received a 1% average increase in Foundation Aid over the past couple of years. The Foundation Aid formula needs to be modernized based on the Rockefeller Commission report (2024).

We are now at a point where our budgets are severely limited by inadequate Foundation Aid and the tax cap.

The result, in part, is a $1.5million budget gap for the 2026-2027 school year. PCSD has a strong history of responsible fiscal management. The District is building next year’s budget by reducing positions through restructuring and attrition, staying within the tax cap, managing resources carefully, and examining available reserve funds for programs. However, this approach is not sustainable long term.

I am asking for Pittsford Schools’ fair share of state aid so programs and opportunities for our students are protected. Without increased funding, PCSD will need to make additional cuts in programming and staffing. Pittsford has one of the highest performing school districts in the state, and I worry that the quality of our educational system cannot be sustained without proper funding.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

 

(Your Name)

(Your Address)