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School Budget

Fairport Voters Approve 2024-2025 School Budget

On May 21, 2024, Residents in the Fairport Central School District approved the 2024-2025 school budget with 1768 votes, a 66% passing rate.

 

The results of the Annual School Budget Vote and Board Election are as follows:

 

2024-2025 School Budget:

YES — 1768

NO — 926

 

Board of Education (2 seats):

Dr. Mary Caitlin Wight — 2144

Richard Mueller — 2121

 

Proposition 1: Authorization to appropriate and expend from Capital Bus Purchase Reserve

YES — 2005

NO — 688

 

 

Proposition 2: Authorization to create and fund Capital Bus Purchase Reserve Fund

YES — 1891

NO — 796

 

Public Library Budget:

YES — 1982

NO — 709

 

Public Library Trustee (1 seat):

Josh Quilty-Koval — 463

Jennifer Fay — 1788

 

“The District’s annual budget vote shows the true investment that our community has in our Future-Ready Raiders and in our extraordinary programming and staff,” said Superintendent Brett Provenzano. “We will continue to meet our community’s expectations for strong academics, social-emotional support and fiscal responsibility.”

 

 

 Total proposed budget: $159,847,155 Budget growth, year over year: 5.36% increase over last yearundefineds budget Proposed tax levy increase: $24.88 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 2.83% increase

PROGRAM BUDGET (74% of total) - $118,937,307

Includes, but is not limited to:

  • Class Sizes
  • Health - K-5, 6-8, 9-12
  • Performing and Graphic Arts - (Art electives and Music Program K-12)
  • Special Education Programming - Continuum of Services
  • Occupational Education - (District and BOCES EMCC)
  • Mental Health Services - 30+ professionals including counselors, psychologists, social workers
  • Social-Emotional and Academic Supports
  • Extra & Co-Curricular Activities (Clubs) - K-5, 6-8, 9-12
  • Curriculum Writing
  • Summer Programming
  • Professional Development
  • Instructional Technology Coaches
  • Interscholastic Sports
  • Modern Learning Environments
  • Elective Programs
  • Advanced Placement Courses

ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET (11% of total budget) - $17,486,141

Includes, but is not limited to:

  • Board of Education meetings, supplies, advocacy (unsalaried positions)
  • Central Administration
  • Finance
  • Legal, Personnel, Public Information & Services
  • Other Central Services
  • Other Special Items
  • Instructional Administrative Support
  • Employee Benefits

CAPITAL BUDGET (15% of total budget) - $23,423,707

  • Includes, but is not limited to:
  • Operation, Maintenance, and Security
  • Refunds on Real Property Taxes
  • Bus Purchases
  • Employee Benefits
  • Debt Service (BANS)
  • Interfund Transfer (Debt Service and Capital)

What is the difference between a budget increase and a tax levy increase?

Budget increases represent the growth of all the things the District needs from year to year - including academic programming, extracurricular activities, transportation costs, salaries, benefits, maintenance, the cost of inflation, minimum wage - everything that makes an organization responsive to its constituents.

Tax levy increases are the changes to the total amount of money to be raised locally through taxes by the District to help support the proposed budget.

What do the budget increase and tax levy increase look like in the proposed 2024-2025 budget?

The budget increase for the proposed 2024-2025 FCSD school budget is 5.36%.

The tax levy increase for the proposed 2024-2025 FCSD school budget is 2.83%.

How did the District arrive at the 2.83% tax levy increase as proposed in the 2024-2025 budget?

The 2.83% tax levy increase was determined by adding the calculated tax levy limit to the exclusions and figuring out the maximum allowable levy that the District could propose while still requiring a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) to pass the budget.

Isn't the New York State tax levy "capped" at 2%?

The tax levy "cap" law does not restrict any proposed tax levy increase to 2%. Instead, each district has to follow an eight-step calculation to determine its individual "tax levy limit". That limit is defined as the highest allowable levy the District can propose and still only requires a simple majority of voters to pass the budget. This year’s proposed tax levy increase is compliant with the NYS tax levy law.

2024-2025 Budget Commentator

Fairport Board of Education adopts proposed 2024-2025 budget

Fairport Board of Education adopts proposed 2024-2025 budget

Dear Fairport community, 

The Fairport Board of Education approved the District’s proposed 2024-2025 school budget at its business meeting on April 16, 2024.

You can find the budget adoption presentation here.

  1. Prioritize the District’s School Improvement initiatives including:
    1. Developing Universal Pre-K programming
    2. Allocating resources to support and maximize student learning (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support)
    3. Providing equitable access to student-centered and “whole child” programming
  2. Keep long-term fiscal sustainability at the forefront of the budget process with a focus on:
    1. Transparency and our fiscal responsibility to our stakeholders
    2. Maintaining a strong financial position
    3. Preserving the District’s strong bond rating
  3. Investing in modern, environmentally sustainable and safe facilities by:
    1. Dedicating financial resources to support the modernization and upkeep of District facilities
    2. Prioritizing funding of District Capital Reserves to prepare for Phase III of the District’s Long-Term Facilities Plan, and in order to shift to a more regular schedule of smaller-scale Capital Improvement Projects

The $159,847,155 total budget equates to a 5.36% increase over last year’s budget, and is in compliance with the Property Tax Levy Limit, which limits the amount of taxes an entity may levy based on a formula. That Tax Levy Limit may be higher or lower than 2%, depending on allowable adjustments or exemptions. 

The estimated tax rate is a projected $24.88 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 2.83% increase. You can find more information about the development of this proposed budget in the livestream of the April 16 Board of Education Business meeting and in the livestream of the Board of Education Workshop, also on the 16th.

The annual Budget Vote is on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Johanna Perrin Middle School.

Items on the ballot for the May 21 vote include:

  • The proposed 2024-2025 ($159,847,155) school budget
  • The election of two Board of Education members
  • The election of one Public Library Trustee
  • A proposition to authorize the appropriation and spending of funds from the “Capital Bus Purchase Reserve Fund 2002” to buy buses for student transportation
  • A proposition to create and fund a “Capital Bus Purchase Reserve Fund 2024”

If you would like to learn more about the 2024-2025 budget, join us at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in room 512 at FHS. The Public Hearing will also be broadcast live on the District’s Youtube

If you have any questions about the budget process or the proposed 2024-2025 school budget, please email communityrelations@fairport.org OR enter your questions into the Google Form here. Our team will develop a FAQ sheet to share information and answers to community concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Brett Provenzano

Superintendent of Schools


 

Candidates for Board of Education

a head shot of a woman with brown hair and a floral dressDr. Mary Caitlin Wight - incumbent

Fairport resident for 5 years

Three children, two enrolled in Fairport Schools

Occupation:

Adjunct Instructor of Education and University Based Teacher Educator at SUNY Geneseo

Education:

SUNY Buffalo, Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning

SUNY Buffalo, Ed.M. in Spanish and Adolescent Education

SUNY Geneseo, B. A. in Spanish and Adolescent Education

Personal statement:

“As a mom, a teacher educator, and a former middle school teacher, I have dedicated my life to public education. I have supported our community over my term through fiscally responsibility decisions, including, but not limited to: a 5 year policy review cycle, rigorous academic opportunities (e.g. AP courses, electives, SPARK), an updated Code of Conduct, ensuring safety updates (e.g. secure double entrances, automatic door locks, sentries at each building) and facilities planning for the future. I am asking for your vote on May 21 so I may continue my service to our community.” 

Rich Mueller A headshot of a man with a beard and a plaid Oxford shirt

Fairport resident for 10 years

Three children enrolled in Fairport Schools

Occupation:

Consulting Actuary

Education: 

Colgate University, Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics

Personal statement:

“My wife, Meghan, and I have lived in Fairport for ten years and enjoy volunteering in our community. I've coached youth sports and have served as the Cub Scout Pack 273 Committee Chair for the past four years. Meghan has substitute taught in our schools, gaining an inside view of the professionalism and care offered by our school employees.

As our kids have grown, I've looked for new ways to give back to Fairport. Recently I’ve gotten more interested in understanding the oversight of our school system. I’ve sought to educate myself by attending school board meetings, speaking with administrators to learn about financial and operational needs, and learning about the recent budgets and capital improvement projects. My professional experience as an actuary, with detail-oriented attention to future changes and how those changes impact individuals and institutions, makes me a well-qualified candidate to help our Board achieve its vision for our students and community.”

Voter Information

Voter Eligibility

To be eligible to vote on the annual District Budget and Board of Education election, a person must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Be a resident of the Fairport Central School District for at least 30 days preceding the vote

Voters do not have to own property in the school district. Voter registration is not required. Voters do not have to be a parent or have children in the school district.

Voters must provide one proof of residency such as a driver’s license, a non-driver ID card, voter registration card, or utility bill. Each voter is also required to sign his or her name and address.

Early Mail and Absentee Ballots

Residents unable to vote on the annual District budget and Board of Education election on May 21 because of disability, illness, or travel may request applications for absentee ballots by contacting the District Clerk.

Alternatively, residents may request applications for early mail ballots by contacting the District Clerk. All absentee and early voter ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven business days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be picked up personally by the voter. Sealed ballots must be returned to the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024, the day of the vote.

 

Sarah Driscoll 

FCSD District Clerk

(585) 421-2010 

sarah.driscoll@fairport.org

Graphic of a ballot box

Building the 2024-2025 Budget

Budget Documents

 

If you do not see a file list displayed above, please click here to view the files via Google Drive. A Google account is not required for file access.

Previous Budgets and Elections

  • Investing in our Future-Ready Raiders: 2023-2024 FCSD School Budget

    The 2022-2023 school year has seen exciting innovation, a return to beloved traditions and a renewed sense of purpose and resolve in the Fairport Central School District. We are redefining what it means to be student-citizen of the Fairport community - with an eye on the future and a firm commitment to academic growth and success for all students!

    Your investment in our Future-Ready Raiders allows our educators to serve each child, every child and the whole child. That investment and your belief in our commitment to our students and the wider community are part of what makes Fairport a special place.

    As we look forward to exciting things coming in the new school year, we encourage you to read about the amazing things happening every day in our Fairport schools. The efforts of each staff member to create welcoming and affirming environments for our students cannot be overstated. We are proud to present a school budget that focuses on our community’s priorities of supporting student mental health, continuing a tradition of academic excellence and opening doors to enriching and exciting experiences for our students.

    Please check out the videos below to learn more about the power of Investing in our Future-Ready Raiders, and how the team at the Fairport Central School District builds the budget!

    Visit our social media channels to see all the amazing things happening every day in the Fairport Central School District!

    Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube COMM

    2023-24 Budget Goals and Timeline

    Budget Season Timeline

    • Prioritize equitable access to:
      • Student-centered and whole child educational programming
      • Modern and safe facilities
      • Sustainable operations
    • Keep long-term fiscal sustainability at the forefront of our budget process with a focus on:
      • Maintaining a strong financial position
      • Preserving the District’s strong bond rating
      • Managing District reserves relative to potential future General Fund costs associated with the expiration of Federal Stimulus dollars

    Just the Facts:

    Total proposed budget: $151,722,002

    • Budget growth, year over year: 5.31% increase over last year’s budget
    • Proposed tax levy increase: $24.24 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 2.98% increase.

    Budget Expenditure Components

    • PROGRAM BUDGET (75% of total budget) - $114,677,395
    • Includes, but is not limited to:
      • Transportation
      • Summer school
      • Elementary Master Schedule
      • Performing and Graphic Arts
      • Special Ed Programming - Continuum of Services
      • Mental Health Services - 30+ MH professional
      • Social Emotional and Academic Supports
      • Co-Curricular Activities (Clubs) - K-5, 6-8, 9-12
      • Curriculum writing
      • Summer programming
      • Professional Development
      • Technology Hardware, Technology Coaches
      • Interscholastic Sports
      • Modern Learning Environments
      • Elective Programs (HS Electives)
    • ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET (11% of total budget) - $16,295,279
    •  Includes, but is not limited to:
      • Board of Education meetings, supplies, advocacy (unsalaried positions)
      • Central Administration
      • Finance
      • Legal, Personnel, Public Information & Services
      • Other Central Services
      • Other Special Items
      • Instructional Administrative Support
      • Employee Benefits
    • CAPITAL BUDGET (14% of total budget) - $20,749,328
    • Includes, but is not limited to:
      • Operation, Maintenance, and Security
      • Refunds on Real Property Taxes
      • Bus Purchases
      • Employee Benefits
      • Debt Service (BANS)
      • Interfund Transfer (Debt Service and Capital)

     

    What is the difference between a budget increase and a tax levy increase?

    • Budget increases represent the growth of all the things the District needs from year to year - including academic programming, extracurricular activities, transportation costs, salaries, benefits, maintenance, the cost of inflation, minimum wage - everything that makes an organization responsive to its constituents.
    • Tax levy increases are the changes to the total amount of money to be raised locally through taxes by the District to help support the proposed budget.

    What do the budget increase and tax levy increase look like in the proposed 2023-2024 budget?

    • The budget increase for the proposed 2023-2024 FCSD school budget is 5.31%.
    • The tax levy increase for the proposed 2023-2024 FCSD school budget is 2.98%.

    Isn't the New York State tax levy "capped" at 2%?

    • The tax levy "cap" law does not restrict any proposed tax levy increase to 2%. Instead, each district has to follow an eight-step calculation to determine its individual "tax levy limit". That limit is defined as the highest allowable levy the District can propose and still only require a simple majority of voters to pass the budget. This year’s proposed tax levy increase is compliant with the NYS tax levy law.

    What factors affect the District's tax levy limit calculation?

    • The prior fiscal year's tax levy
    • Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) received in prior fiscal year
    • The growth factor of the tax base (Perinton)
    • Exemptions in prior year (capital and court orders)
    • Allowable levy growth factor (accounting for inflationary change)
    • PILOTs receivable in the coming fiscal year
    • Available "carryover" (if any)

    Once the limit is calculated through the formula, what additional costs can the District add to the levy?

    • Exclusions are expenses that the District can add to the tax levy limit. For example, pension rate contribution increases, the local share of debt on capital projects and school bus purchases are all exclusions to the tax levy limit.

    How did the District arrive at the 2.98% tax levy increase as proposed in the 2023-2024 budget?

    • The 2.98% tax levy increase was determined by adding the calculated tax levy limit to the exclusions and figuring out the maximum allowable levy that the District could propose while still requiring a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) to pass the budget.

    Why is the growth in spending on Debt Service in the proposed budget such an increase over last year's budget?

    • The increase in Debt Service spending is part of the planned phase-in of new debt from the voter-approved 2019 Fairport Forward Capital improvement Project. Voters signed off on the project that includes academic and programmatic upgrades, including: renovated science classrooms, a new cafeteria and multi-purpose athletic fields at Fairport High School; safety and security and infrastructure improvements at our elementary and middle schools; and renovations to science at technology rooms in our middle schools.The District manages this increase in spending by using state building aid and money from the Debt Service Fund to help cover a portion of the costs.

    Board Candidate Information

    2023:

    Erica Belois Pacer

    Erica Belois-Pacer (Incumbent)
    Resident of Fairport for 15.5 years, Silver Birch Circle
    Three students in the District, at Johanna Perrin and Fairport High School

    Employer: National APSE
    Position: Professional Development Director

    Biographical statement:
    When I ran for the Fairport School Board in 2020, I was happy to step up and run during a time with many unknowns. Over the past three years I have worked hard to listen to all perspectives and support students, staff, and families in the Fairport Community. Having three students in the district with different interests, activities, and school experiences allows me to hear from and collaborate with numerous community members. My background as a teacher in a local school district led to the opportunity to develop curriculum and train educators and Employment Support professionals across NY State. Currently I work for a national organization training, supporting, and advocating for state agencies, school districts, and people with disabilities to ensure employment for all. I would use my experience with diverse educational systems to increase opportunities for all students and families within the Fairport School District.
     



    Lisa ChristensenLisa Christensen
    Resident of Fairport for 9.5 years, Kirkby Trail
    Four students in the District, at Brooks Hill, Martha Brown, Minerva DeLand and Fairport High School

    Employer: Liberty POST
    Position: Itinerant Speech-Language Pathologist, Early Intervention and Preschool

    Biographical statement:
    I have a track record of involvement in and commitment to Fairport schools. I approach difficult decisions in a level-headed and data-driven way while actively seeking to understand all perspectives on an issue. I would contribute in a meaningful way to some of the district's current pressing initiatives such as launching the new literacy program, planning a master schedule and enrichment for grades 6-8, increasing access to UPK, and planning for the Minerva merger.

     



    Nicole ThibaultNicole Thibault
    Resident of Fairport for 17 years, Waterford Way
    Two students in the District, at Fairport High School and Minerva DeLand, one graduate

    Employer: Nazareth College
    Position: Coordinator of Operations for the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

    Biographical statement:
    I'm Nicole Thibault, and I am running for a seat on the Fairport School Board of Education.
    My family has lived in Fairport for 17 years, and we've seen our oldest son through his first day of kindergarten to graduating from the Fairport High School in 2022. As a parent of three kids, I have been actively involved with our kids' education at every stage. We've had such positive experiences with the special education programs and the honors programs in the Fairport schools. Over the years, I often volunteered my time with classroom activities, field trips, Drama Club productions and events, and with our kids' Scout Troop. I believe that my family's experiences with the Fairport schools enable me to represent the interests and needs of families in the Fairport district. I would love the opportunity to continue to advocate for Fairport families as a Board of Education member.


    Voter Information and Requirements

    Voter Eligibility
    To be eligible to vote on the school budget on May 16, 2023 a person must meet the following requirements:

    • Be at least 18 years of age
    • Be a United States citizen
    • Be a resident of the Fairport Central School District for at least 30 days preceding the vote

    Voters do not have to own property in the school district. Voter registration is not required. Voters do not have to be a parent or have children in the school district.

    Voting Procedure
    Voters must provide one proof of residency such as a driver’s license, a non-driver ID card, voter registration card, or utility bill. Each voter is also required to sign his or her name and address.

    Absentee Ballots
    Residents unable to vote on the school budget on May 16 because of disability, illness, or travel may request applications for absentee ballots by contacting the District Clerk at (585) 421-2010 or via email at palexander@fairport.org. Ballots must be returned to the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on May 16, the day of the vote.


    Message from the Superintendent - April 21, 2023

    Dear Fairport community,

    I am pleased to announce that at the April Board of Education meeting, the BOE approved the District’s proposed 2023-2024 school budget.

    • You can find the budget adoption presentation linked here. The 2023-2024 budget is aligned to the Board of Education’s objectives and District goals for investing in our Future-Ready Raiders.
    • The $151,722,002 total budget equates to a 5.31% increase over last year’s budget, and is in compliance with the Property Tax Levy Limit. The estimated tax rate is a projected $24.24 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 2.98% increase.
    • Visit our Budget webpage to learn more about the budget and the three Board of Education candidates.

    Please mark your calendars: the public hearing for the 2023-2024 Budget is on May 2 at 6:30 at Fairport High School, Room 512.

    The annual Budget Vote and Board Election is Tuesday, May 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Johanna Perrin Middle School.

    Brett Provenzano, Superintendent of Schools