What’s on the May 20 Ballot 

Residents of the Pittsford Central School District will be voting at a new location – Calkins Road Middle School – on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, on the school district’s 2025-2026 school district budget. Here’s what’s on the ballot:  

• Proposed budget of $168,218,102 which is within the Tax Cap and preserves current programming 

• 3.97% budget increase 

• 2.34% Tax levy increase 

• Authorization to withdraw $2,419,162 from the “Capital Reserve Fund – Purchase of Buses” (savings account) 

• Will not result in additional taxes or issuance of debt 

• Authorization to withdraw no more than $500,000 from the “Capital Reserve Fund – Instructional Technology” (savings account) 

• Will not result in additional taxes or issuance of debt 

• Three Board of Education candidates are running for two seats 

Understanding the School District Budget  

Ninety-two percent of Pittsford Schools’ revenue derives from the tax cap levy and state aid with the levy supporting 70% of the budget. PCSD’s revenue sources are often referred to as being “capped” and “frozen.” The tax cap levy is capped given that the tax cap formula does not account for inflation beyond two percent, nor does it take into consideration increasing costs of energy, health care, minimum wage, or other costly factors. Foundation aid (money from the state) has been frozen for many years, with the exception of a couple, yielding an additional $10,000 last year. The result of both the current state of the tax cap and foundation aid, coupled with increased costs, have led to advocacy efforts for increased foundation aid while also requiring PCSD to make $1.5 million in reductions and utilize reserves to balance the budget.  

The Good News  

For the 2025-2026 budget year, PCSD should receive a minimum increase of about $558,000 in Foundation Aid, which is a 2.64% increase over the current year levels. This is in part thanks to the many letters residents and staff sent to legislators, and meetings that administrators and Board of Education members held in Albany in February. The District would like to thank local legislators, Senator Brouk, Assemblymember Lunsford and Senator Helming for their leadership in ensuring that PCSD receives its fair share of funding.  

Thornell Road Elementary School will receive various heating and ventilation work as part of a $100,000 capital outlay project. This project is expected to bring approximately $72,000 in state aid the following year.  

PCSD also has a longstanding history of both healthy reserves and transparency on how reserves are used. This year, the District will utilize more reserves, in conjunction with other reductions to balance the budget.  

Other Reductions  

At the District Office, over $300K in reductions were made by consolidating and eliminating positions. Significant savings were made through attrition across the District, and PCSD is currently finalizing other reductions, all of which are far removed from students.  

What This Means for Residents  

PCSD will again be proposing a budget that is under the tax cap at 2.34%. There will be no significant adjustments to student programs (additions or eliminations). The District has worked diligently on its long-term financial plan and has made the necessary adjustments for this year as part of this plan. If you would like to learn more about the 2025-2026 budget planning, please visit www.pittsfordschools.org/budget.