Public commenter urges Fairport district to rethink bus routing and show budget savings

At the public comment portion of Fairport Central School District’s May 5 budget hearing, resident Rick Sakana criticized the perceived lack of visible cost‑cutting measures in the district’s materials and urged the administration to publicize savings efforts.

"You need to publicize it. need to give us a break and let us know that you're trying because it doesn't appear you are," Sakana said, adding that he had observed buses stopping to drop off only four or five students and suggested the district consider a subscription-based bus service in which families could opt in — and opt-out taxpayers would receive a tax reduction.

Sakana also urged the district to emphasize trades and vocational pathways, saying the community needs more workers with trade skills and noting that not every graduate follows a college path. A separate commenter later noted a student is enrolled in BOCES cosmetology, underscoring demand for vocational programs.

Superintendent Brett Provenzano invited Sakana to continue the conversation at district forums and thanked him for the suggestions; the hearing record includes no policy change or formal motion in response. The public hearing closed with a reminder that the budget vote and board election will be held May 19 at Joanna Parent Middle School.