![Mike Pero]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1716477813/pittsfordschoolsorg/wvg6kzcporgjwpon7b17/PeroMikeforweb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1716477813/pittsfordschoolsorg/wvg6kzcporgjwpon7b17/PeroMikeforweb.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1716477813/pittsfordschoolsorg/wvg6kzcporgjwpon7b17/PeroMikeforweb.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1716477813/pittsfordschoolsorg/wvg6kzcporgjwpon7b17/PeroMikeforweb.png","width":857}])
Superintendent’s Column: Proposed Budget Seeks to Maintain Student Programs and Services Despite Drop in NYS Funding
As Pittsford residents head to the polls for the School District’s 2024-25 Budget Vote and School Board Election, they’ll see a proposed budget that maintains District academic programs and continues to put students first. They may also notice a significant reduction, compared to what was forecasted, in New York State Aid. While New York State is reporting a 3.53% increase in Pittsford’s 2024-2025 State Aid package, 3.03% of this Aid is in a form PCSD cannot use. As a result, the expected usable NYS Foundation Aid will only increase by $1,161 for the 2024-2025 school year budget. Additionally, the District Planning Team, with representation from every stakeholder group, tackled a $600,000 budget gap caused by a decrease in expiring State Aid funds from the American Rescue Plan that were targeted for COVID relief.
To address the gap in funding, the District Planning Team worked hard to find areas where efficiencies could be gained by combining certain positions and reducing others through attrition. Higher than expected interest earnings and the use of revenue reserves also helped to mitigate the impact of the gap. While all school districts feel the impact of inflation and compression from minimum wage, we are fortunate to present a balanced budget, while preserving programs.
Despite challenges, the 2024-2025 budget maintains a focus on student needs, support services, and safety/security upgrades. The District continues to invest funds in technology and has completed the 1:1 student device initiative which allows every student to have access to a laptop/iPad.
The proposed 2024-2025 budget reflects a tax levy increase of 2.69%, which is within the Tax Cap. The Property Tax Cap for PCSD is 2.69% as calculated by the New York State Property Tax Levy Cap Formula. This brings our two-year average tax levy increase to 1.39%.
Learn more about the proposed 2024-2025 budget at: Budget Information 2024-2025.
I hope to see you at the polls on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Barker Road Middle School gymnasium between 7 a.m.-9 p.m.