Board hears non-personnel budget breakdown as transportation costs face sharp uncertainty

The WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT on March 5 heard a detailed presentation of the non-personnel portion of the district’s proposed 2026–27 budget and approved a bond resolution authorizing borrowings for a Briarwood capital project.

Finance staff said the planning budget envelope is $105,000,000 and that non-personnel line items total just over $34,000,000 (about 32% of the total), with people-related costs comprising roughly two-thirds of the full budget. The five largest non-personnel categories identified were: special education (~$9.2 million), transportation (~$5.8 million), operations/maintenance/security (~$5.5 million), technology (~$3.6 million), and debt service (~$2.6 million).

On special education, the presenter said most of the spend is for BOCES and other out-of-district services and that this line can be volatile because costs are driven by student placements. About $13.4 million of services to BOCES were noted across the district’s budgets.

Transportation emerged as an immediate uncertainty: staff said the district’s primary contractor, First Student, is requiring a rebid and that an extension tied only to CPI would be about 2.5%. Officials also said First Student has been seeking higher compensation to recruit drivers, and the district is planning for a scenario that could include an increase of up to 18% in transportation costs next year while it rebids for regional capacity.

On debt service, administration explained interfund transfers and said the draft budget proposes moving about $500,000 from the debt service fund into the general fund to offset projected debt costs. Staff tied much of the increase to newer capital projects (including the RISE project and a 2027 project) and said building aid timing creates a lag that can make debt service planning complex.

The board also considered and approved a bond resolution to finance work authorized by voters at Briarwood, described as roof and HVAC mechanical replacements. Administration said the project is roughly $1.6 million, with $300,000 coming from the district’s capital reserve and the remainder to be borrowed; the resolution authorizes district officers to execute borrowing-related paperwork. The motion passed by voice vote, 6-0.

Board members asked operational questions about opt-outs for busing, how bid timing affects capital fund transfers, whether small projects move only the bid amount into a capital fund, and how the district monitors efficiency and ridership. Staff agreed to provide follow-up data on event timing and cost drivers.

What’s next: Staff will prepare final cost reports for recently completed capital work (notably RISE) by June, continue the transportation rebid process, and return updates on budget figures and the calendar of capital work ahead of final budget adoption.

Supporting quote: The budget presenter summarized the non-personnel purpose: “the non personnel side allows us to, kind of, carry forth our craft,” emphasizing supplies, contract services and debt tied to capital.