Public votePassed
2026-27 school budget ($176,522,427)
$176,522,427
Voters passed the 2026-27 budget, which raises the tax levy 2.69% within the tax cap, 2,251 to 617.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
District overview
Pittsford Central School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Where does Pittsford's school money come from, and what limits it?
Mostly local property taxes, held down by a state cap
Pittsford is a suburban district in Monroe County that pays for most of its schools with local property taxes. About two out of every three dollars of the 2026-27 budget come from the tax levy, and state law caps how fast that levy can grow. State aid adds about a quarter, but the main state formula (Foundation Aid) has barely grown, so costs like health insurance that rise faster than the cap squeeze the budget. Voters approve the budget every May.
Property taxes carry most of the budget
The 2026-27 tax levy is $120,820,280, up 2.69% and inside the state tax cap. That is about 68% of the $176,522,427 total budget (a calculation, not a district-stated figure).
State aid is about a quarter and mostly flat
Total state aid is budgeted at about $40.9 million, but Foundation Aid, the core formula, is only about $21.7 million and was budgeted up just 0.41%. Most of the $3.9 million aid increase is building aid, which only repays past construction.
Costs rise faster than the cap
The district lists health insurance up 26% over two years, special education and BOCES tuition, bus contracting during a driver shortage, and a 2% limit on Foundation Aid. It closed a $1.5 million gap for 2026-27 with staff reductions made through retirements and attrition, and says there was no job loss.
Reserves and voters are the safety valves
The district drew $3.44 million from reserves and fund balance for 2026-27, up from $2.84 million. If voters reject a budget twice, a contingent budget with no levy increase would apply; the district estimates that would cut about $3.16 million of support.
None of this means the district is in trouble today. It holds an Aa1 bond rating, its latest independent audit had no disagreements with management, and the budget passed 2,251 to 617. The district does warn that heavier use of reserves could make 2027-28 and 2028-29 harder if revenue does not grow.
Where the district stands
Students enrolled in district schools (October 2025)verified
5,563 students
Staff reported 6,115 school-age residents, of whom 552 attend private schools. Enrollment was up 11 students from the prior year and is projected to stay roughly flat for ten years, with new housing possibly adding students in some areas. The state data file used in the strategic plan shows 5,516 students for 2024-25.
2026-27 school budgetverified
176,522,427 dollars
Up 4.94% from $168,218,102. Voters approved it on May 19, 2026, 2,251 to 617. The budget-to-budget spending increase is 3.24%; the rest is higher debt payments covered by state building aid.
2026-27 property tax levyverified
120,820,280 dollars
Up $3,160,725 or 2.69% from $117,659,555, within the tax cap.
Budgeted total state aid, 2026-27verified
40,868,376 dollars
Up from $36,980,714 and based on the Governor's proposal, because the state budget was not yet enacted on April 7, 2026. Foundation Aid is $21,738,820 of that.
Per-pupil spending, 2023-24verified
24,856 dollars per student
As reported in the strategic plan; the plan does not say exactly which costs it includes. Dividing the 2026-27 budget by October 2025 enrollment gives about $31,700 per student, but that includes debt payments, transportation and benefits and is a calculation (context), not comparable to the plan's figure.
Unassigned General Fund balance, June 30, 2025verified
6,728,724 dollars
Within the 4% legal limit. Total restricted fund balance (reserves set aside for specific uses) was $66,674,174, including $31.9 million in capital reserves.
Bond ratingverified
Aa1 rating
The district lists protecting its Aa1 rating as a budget guideline.
Voters in the May 19, 2026 budget voteverified
2,912 voters
Context: 2,172 voted in 2025 according to the district's budget page.
Elected board memberscontext
7 seats
Context from the district's board pages: seven residents elected to three-year terms at the annual May vote, unpaid, with a president and vice president chosen each July. In July 2026 Sarah Pelusio became president and Jeff Casey vice president. The board meets monthly at Barker Road Middle School and sets policy, approves the budget and hires the superintendent; two student members from the high schools attend as ex officio members.
Superintendentverified
Shana Cutaia since late 2025
Succeeded Mike Pero, who retired after the November 4, 2025 meeting. The board approved a contract running July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031.
Major projects
2026 Capital Project
Voter-approved; State Education Department review before biddingA tax-neutral $48.7 million project touching all nine schools: roofs, boilers and water lines, public address systems, emergency generators, air conditioning in large group areas such as gyms and auditoriums, floor tile, parking lots, chillers and playgrounds. Staff described it as the start of a multi-year effort to add cooling to every school. The Mendon High School pool is not in this project and is being considered for a 2028 project.
State Education Department approval of phase one expected in late 2026; bidding is planned for early 2027 and construction for spring or summer 2027 through August 2028.
- Board hires architect (SEI Design Group) and construction manager (Campus Construction Management Group) for pre-vote work
- Board finishes environmental review and calls the March 5 vote
- Voters approve up to $48.7 million, 751 to 121
- Board authorizes up to $42.2 million in serial bonds
- Architect reports phase one design filed with the State Education Department
Funding
$6.5 million from a capital reserve plus up to $42.2 million in bonds, with about 72.7% of eligible costs reimbursed by state building aid; the district says it adds nothing to the tax levy
Authorization is a maximum, not a bid price.
2023 Capital Improvement Project
Phase two construction through December 2027A $69.8 million project approved by voters on March 28, 2023. Phase one added secure entry vestibules at all nine school buildings in 2024. Phase two includes mental health suites, renovated cafeterias, district office upgrades and other work. Voters added wayfinding and emergency-vehicle signage on May 19, 2026, 2,236 to 622.
Construction runs through December 2027, with January to March 2028 reserved for final punch-list work.
- Voters approve the project
- Board approves amending the project scope to add signage for the May ballot
- Voters approve the signage addition
- Contractor reports $1,550,158 left in construction contingency as of September 2026
Funding
Voter-approved capital project with an original authorization of $69,822,169; the mix of bonds, reserves and state aid is not detailed in the records reviewed
The board has approved a series of change orders, including $82,551 for winterization at Mendon High School.
Energy performance contract (solar and LED lighting)
Installation near completionA $12.6 million project to install energy-saving equipment, including rooftop solar and districtwide LED lighting, financed with a 15-year lease-purchase rather than a voter-approved bond. Some staff gave feedback about the new lighting, and the district says it is open to adding dimmer switches.
Finish installation and review lighting feedback when school resumes.
- Board approves a lease-purchase of up to $12,646,325 at 4.02% with TD Equipment Finance
- Superintendent reports solar and LED lighting near completion
Funding
15-year lease-purchase paid yearly from the operating budget, subject to annual board appropriation; the district expects energy savings and aid to offset costs
The district said aid on this project would be about 60% and that it was seeking federal incentives. Annual payment amounts and guaranteed savings are not in the records reviewed.
Strategic Plan 2026-2031
Plan released; roll-out under wayA five-year plan built from surveys (3,798 responses), eight focus groups and a community input day. It sets four goals (supported; well and connected; challenged and included; ready for the future) and names areas to improve such as gaps inside strong averages, the middle grades, mental health supports and consistency between schools.
October 2026 Superintendent's Conference Day on the plan; the board's formal adoption vote, if any, was not found in the records reviewed.
- Superintendent first reports her priorities and next steps in strategic planning to the board
- Community input day to shape the goals
- Superintendent updates the board on community participation
- Superintendent says October staff conference day will build shared understanding of the plan
Funding
No separate funding is identified; the district says planning will guide how staff and money are lined up in future budgets
Measures of success and accountability steps are described in the plan itself.
2027-28 budget and board election
Planning begins; dates partly publishedThe board saw a draft 2027-28 budget calendar on October 13, 2026. The district's 2026-27 meeting schedule shows work sessions on February 2 and 23 and March 16, 2027, budget adoption on April 20, and a budget hearing on May 11, 2027. The date of the 2027 budget vote and board election had not been announced in the records reviewed. The district has warned of possible deficits in 2027-28 and 2028-29.
Budget work sessions begin in February 2027; the vote date and candidate filing details were not yet published.
- Draft review of the 2027-28 budget development calendar
- First scheduled budget work session
- Scheduled budget adoption at the regular meeting
- Scheduled public budget hearing
Funding
Property tax levy under the tax cap, state aid and reserves
The district projects tax cap growth near 2.5% and limited Foundation Aid.
Local elections & school board members
Elections & votes
Public votePassed
Proposition 1: buy diesel school buses from the bus capital reserve
Authorizes up to two 36-passenger and seven 66-passenger diesel buses funded from a reserve and state aid, with no new taxes or debt. Passed 2,286 to 577.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Public votePassed
Proposition 2: buy two electric school buses from the bus capital reserve
$941,222
Authorizes up to two 66-passenger electric buses and charging stations (not to exceed $941,222) from a reserve and state aid. Passed 1,792 to 1,074.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Public votePassed
Proposition 3: withdraw up to $850,000 from the instructional technology reserve
$850,000
Pays for laptops and equipment for the 1:1 device program from savings. Passed 2,375 to 489.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Public votePassed
Proposition 4: wayfinding and emergency-vehicle signage added to the 2023 capital project
Broadens the scope of the $69.8 million project voters approved in 2023 to add outdoor safety signs. Passed 2,236 to 622.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Board electionScheduled
Board of Education election, May 19, 2026 (two seats)
Robin Scott (2,074 votes) and John Pizzutelli (1,825) were elected to three-year terms; Anwar Upal received 1,296. They were sworn in July 14, 2026.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
BondPassed
2026 Capital Project referendum (up to $48.7 million)
$48,700,000
Voters approved a tax-neutral capital project of up to $48,700,000 (roofs, boilers, cooling, generators and more) 751 to 121; 872 voted.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
School board members
- Sarah PelusioPresident[email protected]
- Jeffrey CaseyVice President[email protected]
- Dave BerkTrustee[email protected]
- Emily KayTrustee[email protected]
- John PizzutelliTrustee[email protected]
- Robin ScottTrustee[email protected]
- René Sanchez-KazacosTrustee[email protected]
Recent news
Built from the district's posted Board of Education agendas and minutes (November 2025 to October 2026), budget presentations and budget page, the June 30, 2025 external audit, the 2026 capital project page, the 2026-2031 strategic plan, the policy manual, and board meeting recordings with auto-generated captions. Figures marked verified appear in one of those documents; calculations and outside comparisons are marked context. Meeting minutes are the district's own record; recordings are machine captions, not approved minutes.
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