Residents in the Pittsford Central School District will decide Tuesday, May 19, on a more than $176 million proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year.
The budget reflects a 2.69% tax levy increase, which remains within the state’s property tax cap. Voters will also weigh in on school bus and technology purchases, new signage and elect two school board members.
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 19 at Calkins Road Middle School, 1899 Calkins Road in Pittsford.
Pittsford schools 2026-27 budget overview
The proposed budget totals $176,522,427, which is 4.94% higher, or $8,304,325 more, than the current year’s $168,218,102 spending plan.
The majority of that increase is driven by salary increases and health care costs, Superintendent Shana Cutaia said. The district was facing a $1.5 million deficit, but was able to avoid direct staffing or programming cuts by eliminating 17 positions through retirement, attrition and reallocation.
Estimated tax rates not known for Pittsford district residents
The district declined to share information about the new tax rate or how much more homeowners would pay in school taxes.
Propositions going before Pittsford voters
Voters also will consider four propositions ― all of which authorizes the use of capital reserve funds and do not impact the tax levy. The propositions include:
School budget impact on students
Cutaia said the uncertainty around state aid has made long-range budget planning challenging. Lawmakers had yet to finalize a state budget as of mid-May, and early indicators showed Pittsford would receive a minimal 1% foundation increase.
“The foundation aid formula has not been stable over the years,” Cutaia said. “It’s a bit like trying to plan your yearly household budget and not knowing part of your income.”
The superintendent said budget talks focus on maintaining continuity for students.
“Hopefully our students will feel the same level of support, the same access to rigorous opportunities and a breadth of offerings at all of our levels,” she said. “We’re trying to be more and more creative with how we’re offering support to students so that they don’t feel any difference in their day-to-day, throughout their time in school and outside of school with extracurriculars and athletics.”
More information about the 2026-27 proposed budget is available on the district’s website.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Pittsford voters will decide the school budget — here are key numbers
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
