VICTOR — Besides deciding on a school budget for 2026-27, Victor Central School District residents will be asked to decide from three candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Education.
The vote is 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 19 in the Victor Early Childhood School boardroom, 953 High St., Victor.
Who’s running for Victor school board?
Incumbents Bryan Adams and Christopher Parks are facing a challenge from James Sawers.
Voters are asked to select two candidates for the seats, which carry three-year terms.
Meet the Victor school board candidates
Bryan D. Adams
Bryan D. Adams is clinical associate professor of marketing, director of B.S. degree in digital marketing strategy and interim co-chair of the School of Business and Leadership at Nazareth College.
Adams, a youth flag football coach and former member of the town of Farmington’s comprehensive plan committee, and wife Cassie have two children, Josaphine and Charlotte.
What is the main issue facing your school district and how would you seek to address it if elected?
“Our district has several important priorities in the years ahead, including maintaining long-term financial stability, supporting our faculty and staff to provide strong academic opportunities for students, and ensuring our district continues to reflect the values and goals of our community. If re-elected, I would continue to approach these priorities through collaboration, partnership, shared decision-making and a commitment to strategic planning.”
Christopher A. Parks
Christopher A. Parks, who is vice president of the Board of Education, has served as teacher, administrator and coach professionally and as coach and assistant coach for various youth sports in the Victor and greater Rochester community.
Parks, who has served on the boards of several organizations and committees, and wife Jenn have four children, Talin, Ryder, Hope and Rory.
What is the main issue facing your school district and how would you seek to address it if elected?
“A focal point of collaboration for the coming years in Victor, aligned with the district’s mission and vision, in conjunction with the strategic plan and a commitment to fiscal responsibility and clear communication with stakeholders, is the continued support of our students, faculty and staff in providing an educational experience that fosters and promotes social-emotional learning and wellness, and empowers students to achieve both in and out of the classroom, while feeling valued and heard.”
James W. Sawers
James W. Sawers is senior director, university and major gifts advancement at the University of Rochester. A former Greece Board of Education member, Sawers has served on Victor’s Community Advisory Group and Estates and Major Gift Fundraising Subcommittee and as a board member of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children.
Sawers is a Victor graduate.
What is the main issue facing your school district and how would you seek to address it if elected?
“I believe the biggest issue facing Victor Central School District is our budget situation, specifically the rising deficit that we face as we look at the future. VCS is unique in that we have experienced considerable growth without state aid keeping up with the growth. We need to get ahead of this before the gap grows too large, where we are not able to handle this through various funds that help offset that deficit gap now.
“Here’s what I believe would help: Alternative large revenue sources; continued advocacy for VCS to receive proper sales tax revenues; investment in community education programs; enhanced relationships with our partners in the community; and innovative and Impactful alignment of resources.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who’s running for Victor school board and what candidates say counts
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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