District overview
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
How Rush-Henrietta is funded, who governs it, and what is underway.
Where does the money come from, and who decides how it is spent?
Rush-Henrietta is a central school district in Monroe County, west of Rochester, with about 5,600 students in six elementary schools, two junior highs, one senior high school and an alternative program. Its $187 million 2026-27 budget is paid mostly by property taxes (about $97.75 million) and New York State aid, with the rest from other revenue and savings. A seven-member Board of Education, elected to unpaid three-year terms, adopts the budget each spring and voters approve it in May. A state tax cap limits how fast the levy can grow.
Voters approve the budget every May
The Board adopts a proposed budget in April and residents vote in May (next vote: May 18, 2027). The 2026-27 plan raised the tax levy 2.17%, below the state cap of 2.69%. A cap override would need a supermajority and the district says it has not chosen to ask for one.
State aid is the second big source
Foundation Aid rises $6.24 million (9.46%) in 2026-27. Negotiated raises for instructional staff ($4.16 million, 7.23%) and non-instructional staff ($3.23 million, 12.84%) are the largest cost increases.
The district holds large savings
At June 30, 2026 the general fund held $127.7 million in total fund balance, up $20.5 million, including $75.7 million set aside for capital projects. The district plans to use $45.46 million of capital savings for the proposed building project.
Seven elected board members, six seated now
President Scott Adair leads the Board. Rachel Sherman resigned effective Aug. 27, 2026; the Board fills such vacancies by appointment (term ends June 30, 2027). The Board meets on designated Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., and its Finance & Audit and Policy committees meet as needed.
Large savings are not necessarily a problem: much of it is restricted to capital work, retirement costs and insurance, and the district says it keeps its tax rate among the lowest in Monroe County. The records here do not show whether voters approved the 2026-27 budget.
Where the district stands
Up 4.39% ($7,865,259) from $179,134,741.
Below the state cap of 2.69%.
5,595 in 2025-26.
Context: $187,000,000 divided by 5,676 students. It includes benefits, transportation, debt and transfers.
Up from $107,146,576 a year earlier; $75,657,930 is restricted for capital.
Vote Dec. 15, 2026.
459 students; 811 incidents in grades 10-12.
Status as shown on the page; updated weekly.
Major projects
2026 Capital Improvement Project
Vote scheduledA $98.75 million project to replace boilers and electrical systems, refresh classrooms and libraries, add air conditioning to gyms and cafeterias, improve entrances and fire alarms, and build new athletic fields at the high school.
- First public information session
- Referendum vote
- Design phase begins (2027-2028)
- Construction phase begins (2028-2031)
Funding
$45.46 million capital reserves and $53.29 million bonds; state building aid estimated at 72.5% of eligible costs; no added local tax impact expected (district estimate)
Senior High School safety response
In progressAfter fights and a 40-minute lockdown on Sept. 23-24, 2026, the district committed to more guards, counselors, weapons detection, phone pouches and talks about a school resource officer.
- Second fight in two days; lockdown
- Board meeting with extended public forum
- Community Safety Forum
- Metal-detector proposal due to the Board
Funding
Not stated; six contracted guards are funded through June 2027 and some items need Board approval
2027-28 budget and Board election
PlannedThe Board holds budget hearings in March and May and votes to adopt the proposed 2027-28 budget on April 13, 2027; residents vote on May 18, 2027.
- First public hearing
- Board adoption of proposed budget
- Budget vote and Board election
Funding
Property tax levy, state aid and other revenue; amount not yet proposed
Recent news
Figures come from the district's own budget, audit, capital-project and safety pages and from the superintendent's newsletters, read in October 2026. Board agendas and minutes are kept in BoardDocs, which could not be saved or read here, so board votes are described only where district messages report them.
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