News & Newsletters

Highlights Include:

FFA SPOTLIGHT: DISTRICT
PRESIDENT FINALIST!

ELEMENTARY FAMILY FUN
NIGHT BRINGS SMILES AND
LAUGHTER TO ALL!

BOARD OF EDUCATION - YOU MAY VOTE FOR ANY THREE (3) CANDIDATES
There are three vacancies for the Board for three year terms (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028). You May
Vote For Any Three (3). The candidates who receive a plurality of the votes cast respectively for the three
offices are to be declared elected. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot.
1) David Reed 2) Nick Youngers 3) Merritt Broughton

QUALIFICATIONS OF A VOTER: • United States Citizen•Eighteen years of age or older
•Resident of the School District for 30 days prior to voting

NOTICE OF INSPECTION: Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2025 of all buildings of Letchworth
Central School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has
been completed and the report thereof is available at the District Office of Letchworth Central School District at 5550
School Road, Gainesville, New York for inspection by all interested persons.

PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 7:30 PM - The annual school district Public Hearing will be held at Letchworth Central
School in the High School Cafeteria at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the 2025-2026 school budget and to
meet the candidates.

VOTE & ELECT BOARD MEMBERS

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Noon to 8:00 PM - The polls will be open in the Auditorium lobby, between the
hours of 12:00 Noon and 8:00 PM to vote on the 2025-2026 budget, propositions and to elect three members of the
Board of Education.

EARLY/ABSENTEE BALLOTS

The option of using an absentee ballot is available for the school district annual budget vote. To obtain an absentee
ballot, you must be a qualified voter of the school district and be unable to personally appear to vote. One of the
following qualifications must apply:
a) a patient in a hospital, or unable due to illness or physical disability;
b) out of town because of duties, occupation, business or studies - you must provide a description of duties or
special circumstances;
c) on vacation outside the district - you must provide dates of beginning & ending of vacation, where you will
be, name & address of employer, or statement of self-employment, or a statement of retirement;
d) in jail - affidavit must state if detained awaiting action of grand jury or confined after conviction for a non-
felony.

Qualified voter spouse, parent, or child is also entitled to vote as absentee if expected to be absent from the district ac-
companying an absentee ballot applicant upon personally making and signing an application based on the above reasons.

The option of using an early mail ballot is available for the school district annual budget vote. To ob-
tain an early mail ballot, you must submit a request in writing and be a qualified voter of the school district

Applications for early mail or absentee ballots must be received by the clerk at least 7 days be-
fore the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if it is to be de-
livered personally to the voter at the Office of the District Clerk. All completed early mail and absen-
tee ballots must be received no later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election. (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)

Qualified voters may pick up applications at the District Office at Letchworth Central School during regular business hours. You
may request an application be sent to you by contacting the District Clerk, in writing at 5550 School Rd., Gainesville, NY 14066

PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 7:30 PM - The annual school district Public Hearing will be held at Letchworth
Central School in the High School Cafeteria at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the 2025-2026 school
budget and to meet the candidates.

VOTE & ELECT BOARD MEMBERS

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Noon to 8:00 PM - The polls will be open in the Auditorium
lobby, between the hours of 12:00 Noon and 8:00 PM to vote on the 2025-2026 budget,
propositions and

Revenues

Budget Proposed Percent
2024-25 2025-26 Change

State Sources
Foundation Aid & Excess Cost Aids 13,363,689 13,886,790 +3.91%
State Expense Based Aids 5,681,946 5,428,727 -4.46%
Instructional Materials Aids 81,674 83,086 +1.73%
Total for State Sources 19,127,309 19,398,603 +1.42%
Property Tax & Star Payments 4,763,500 4,854,007 +1.90%
Appropriated Fund Balance 300,000 0 -100.00%
Appropriated Empl Contribution Reserve 100,000 300,000 +200.00%
Appropriated Unemployment Reserve 41,886 15,784 -62.31%
Appropriated Workers Comp Reserve 0 15,000
Local Sources
Payment in lieu of tax 244,815 277,178 13.22%
Transportation for other districts 1,138,187 1,183,714 +4.00%
Miscellaneous/Other revenues 772,750 720,750 -6.73%
Total Local Sources 2,155,752 2,181,642 +1.20%
Other Revenues
Interfund transfer – debt service 25,000 0 -100.00%
Interfund transfer – school lunch 0 25,000
Federal aid - Medicaid 80,000 80,000 0.00%
Total Other Revenues 105,000 105,000 +0.00%
TOTAL REVENUES 26,593,447 26,870,036 +1.04%
The School Budget and the New York State Tax Levy Limit (Tax Cap)

New York State has instituted a tax levy limit, commonly referred to as a “cap”, that provides a state
formula to establish a levy limit that determines if a simple majority or a super (60%) majority will be required
for passage. The levy limit for Letchworth this year was calculated to be 3.39%. Since the proposed levy
increase for this year is 1.9% (or $70,993 below the cap), a simple majority will be required for passage.

Tax Levy
The proposed expenditure plan of
$26,870,036 is partially funded by a tax levy of
$4,854,007. This is a 1.9 percent increase in the
levy from last year. To calculate the tax rate for each
of the nine towns within the District, both the
assessed values and the equalization rates are
used. Final assessments and equalization rates will
not be available until August. The graph to the right
displays historical information on the true value tax
rate in the district with a projected rate for 2025-26.
Under this proposed budget, the tax rate on true
value is estimated to be $9.51 per thousand.

Proposed Expenditures

Budget Proposed
2024-25 2025-26

GENERAL SUPPORT
Board of Education 36,266.00 41,636.00
District Meeting 3,430.00 3,440.00
Chief School Administrator 241,251.10 251,671.80
Business Administration 296,491.59 306,944.90
Auditing 25,000.00 25,000.00
Treasurer 71,034.00 74,303.00
Tax Collector 10,537.00 10,964.00
Purchasing 6,194.00 6,396.70
Fiscal Agent Fees 3,500.00 7,000.00
Legal 95,900.00 98,975.00
Personnel 14,701.66 14,801.27
Public Information 12,190.00 14,860.00
Operation of Plant 1,298,272.40 1,292,283.70
Maintenance of Plant 825,304.95 763,865.50
Security of Plant 90,467.00 95,775.00
Central Storeroom 1,500.00 1,500.00
Central Printing & Mailing 67,752.25 69,789.50
Central Data Processing 414,442.36 449,762.62
Unallocated Insurance 100,000.00 150,000.00
School Association Dues 6,923.00 7,224.00
Refund on Real Property Taxes 3,500.00 3,500.00
BOCES Administrative Costs 268,226.00 273,507.00 % Change
Total General Support 3,892,883.31 3,963,199.99 +1.806%
INSTRUCTION
Curriculum Development 225,781.00 302,137.19
Supervision, Regular School 434,556.28 453,635.17
Inservice Training, Instructional 14,790.00 25,575.00
Teaching, Regular School 5,002,621.09 4,954,705.01
Programs for Students w/Dis. 3,297,589.59 3,576,688.41
Programs for Eng. Lang. Learn. (ELL) 2,491.90 32,914.20
Occupational Education 661,005.60 672,158.48
Teaching, Special Schools 22,114.00 22,709.00
School Library 194,094.00 204,346.20
Computer Assisted Instruction 529,879.22 611,151.17
Attendance 8,800.00 8,800.00
Guidance 198,160.00 209,626.30
Health Services 113,413.00 118,982.00
Psychological Services 159,901.90 167,749.10
Social Work Services 16,660.00 7,440.00
Co-Curricular Activities 41,243.00 51,843.00
Interscholastic Athletics 350,082.75 389,308.57 % Change
Total Instruction 11,273,183.33 11,809,768.80 +4.760%
TRANSPORTATION
District Transportation 2,560,778.33 2,671,948.83
Garage Building 76,868.00 87,301.25
Contract Transport 0.00 5,000.00
Transportation from BOCES 3,767.24 3,604.00 % Change
Total Transportation 2,641,413.57 2,767,854.08 +4.787%

CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT
The 2025-26 general fund proposed
budget includes a capital outlay
project that would be completed
during the upcoming school year.
This project includes plumbing
upgrades, as well as HVAC and
building automation improvements.
The total cost of the project will not
exceed $100,000 and is aided
through state building aid. By
completing this work as a capital
outlay project, the District will
receive the state building aid in the
following year.

LOCKWOOD’S UPK
Pre-Kindergarten Program
All district children who are 4 on or
before December 1, 2025 are

eligible.

Please register online at our

website.

Once dates for screenings have been
established, we will send you
information packets.
Any questions, call 493-2581

Page 6 We build LEGENDS!
Budget Proposed
2024-25 2025-26

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Adult Education & Recreation 7,386.00 7,628.00

% Change
Total Community Service 7,386.00 7,628.00 +3.276%
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
State Retirement 534,175.42 563,652.24
Teachers’ Retirement 731,255.85 727,940.18
Social Security 840,117.73 871,445.44
Workers’ Compensation 90,000.00 95,000.00
Unemployment Insurance 3,000.00 3,000.00
Health Insurance 3,381,986.79 3,610,359.27
Other - Benefits 80,100.00 91,100.00

% Change
Total Employee Benefits 5,660,635.79 5,962,497.13 +5.333%
DEBT SERVICE
Serial Bonds - Principal 1,390,000.00 1,340,000.00
Serial Bonds - Interest 1,552,945.00 844,088.00

% Change
Total Debt Service 2,942,945.00 2,184,088.00 -25.786%
INTERFUND TRANSFER
Transfer to Special Aid Fund 75,000.00 75,000.00
Transfer to Capital Fund 100,000.00 100,000.00

% Change
Total Interfund Transfers 175,000.00 175,000.00 0.000%
% Change
Total General Fund 26,593,447.00 26,870,036.00 +1.040%

PROPOSED ANNUAL SCHOOL BUDGET FOR 2025-2026

Proposition 1 - Budget $26,870,036.00
The Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District shall be authorized to expend the sum set
forth in the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year in the amount of $26,870,036.00 and to levy the
necessary tax therefore.

Proposition 2 –Maintenance Vehicles/Equipment Reserve Fund
Resolved that the Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District is hereby authorized to
establish a Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2025
Maintenance Vehicle/Equipment Reserve Fund”), with the purpose of such fund being to finance the acquisition
of maintenance vehicles and equipment for school district use that would be eligible for financing under the Local
Finance Law, and costs incidental thereto, the ultimate amount of such fund to be $750,000, plus earnings thereon,
the probable term of such fund to be 10 years, but such fund shall continue in existence until liquidated in
accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted, and the sources from which the funds shall
be obtained for such Reserve are (i) an initial deposit of $66,138 plus accrued interest to be transferred from the
existing 2015 Maintenance Vehicle/Equipment Reserve Fund, and (ii) an initial deposit of $50,000 to be
transferred from the existing Unemployment Insurance Reserve, and (iii) amounts authorized by the voters from
time to time, and (iv) unappropriated fund balance made available by the Board of Education from time to time,
and (v) proceeds from the sale of retired vehicles, all to the extent permitted by law.

Proposition 3 – Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund
Resolved that the Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District is hereby authorized to
establish a Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2025
Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund”), with the purpose of such fund being to purchase vehicles for the
transportation of students as part of the transportation program of the district, the ultimate amount of such fund
to be $950,000, plus earnings thereon, the probable term of such fund to be 10 years, but such fund shall continue
in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted, and the
sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are (i) an initial deposit of $35,171 plus accrued
interest to be transferred from the existing 2017 Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund, and (ii) an initial
deposit of $50,000 to be transferred from the existing Workers’ Compensation Reserve Fund, and (iii) amounts
from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iv) unappropriated fund balance made available by the
Board of Education from time to time, and (v) New York State Aid received and made available by the Board of
Education from time to time, all to the extent permitted by law.

Proposition 4 - Library Funding (as received from the libraries)
Shall the amount of funds raised by taxation to support the four public libraries in the Letchworth Central
School District be increased from $230,741.94 to $243,096.12, the increased amount to be distributed as followed:
$36,100.18 to the Eagle Free Library, Bliss; $87,712.20 to the Cordelia A. Greene Library, Castile; $67,687.81
to the Gainesville Public Library, Silver Springs; and $51,595.93 to the Pike Library Association, Pike?

TOGETHER, WE BUILD LEGENDS: A MESSAGE OF
GRATITUDE, GROWTH, AND COMMITMENT
As we reflect on the past year and look toward the future, we want
to express our sincere gratitude to the families, students, staff, and
community members who continue to support Letchworth CSD. Your partnership in our educational mission is the foundation upon which we build not only strong academic programs, but also a thriving com-
munity of learners, leaders, and citizens.

Navigating the Landscape of Public EducationPublic

K–12 education is in the midst of dynamic change, and our dis-
trict remains committed to staying ahead of the curve. Three

major trends are shaping the future of our schools:

1. Innovative Learning: From differentiated instruction in the classroom to tech-
nology-enhanced platforms, we are embracing tools that allow students to

learn at their own pace, in their own style—helping every child reach their
fullest potential.

2. Social-Emotional Learning and Mental Health Support: Schools are no lon-
ger just centers for academics. We are also prioritizing students’ emotional

well-being, building resilience, empathy, and interpersonal skills as part of
a whole-child approach.
3. Career and College Readiness: Whether a student is heading to college,
into a trade, or directly into the workforce, we’re expanding pathways to

success. This includes hands-on career and technical education, dual enroll-
ment programs, and real-world learning experiences. The Legends Innova-
tion Center is a cutting edge space that opens new creativity in learning.

Reassurance Amid Changing Economic Times- “A budget that is Responsible!”
We understand that these are uncertain economic times for many families. Please know
that we remain deeply committed to financial responsibility. Our budget planning process

is guided by a singular focus: serving every student while maintaining a fiscally sound, for-
ward-thinking approach. The Board of Education and I are here to ensure that our schools

remain competitive, our programs robust, and our services responsive to student and com-
munity needs. The proposed 1.9% increase to our tax levy (2025-26) is in response to

increased benefit costs, contractual responsibilities and a commitment to quality program-
ming. Letchworth remains the lowest true value tax rate in our BOCES. (Estimated $9.51

per thousand)
Excellence in Action—Every Day

What happens in our schools each day is nothing short of remarkable. Our dedicated edu-
cators and support staff pour their energy, creativity, and expertise into their work. From

classrooms to cafeterias, athletic fields to auditoriums, we witness daily acts of inspiration,
perseverance, and success.

Our students continue to impress with their resilience, drive, and curiosity. They are in-
volved, hard-working, and increasingly taking ownership of their learning and their futures.

Their achievements—both academic and extracurricular—are a testament to their strength
and the support they receive from home and school alike.
The Power of Family and Community
Education does not happen in a vacuum. Families are our students’ first teachers and remain
essential partners throughout their academic journey. Your involvement, encouragement,
and high expectations make a measurable difference. We thank you for entrusting us with
your children, and for collaborating with us to ensure their growth and happiness. If you
have questions, please ask. Accurate information is a key to making informed decisions.
A Promise for Every Child

Above all, we want the Letchworth community to know: we are here for every child. Our mis-
sion is to advocate for each student, provide a safe and nurturing learning environment, and

offer the tools and opportunities that will allow them to succeed in an ever-changing world.
We appreciate your continued support, and together, we will meet the challenges of today

while building a stronger school one day at a time. Our commitment to excellence and op-
portunity remains unwavering—and we are proud to walk this journey alongside you.

LETCHWORTH ARTISTS
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
IN ACWC ALL-COUNTY HIGH
SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION