The 2022-23 VCS school budget passed as well as the propositions for bus purchases and the creation of a bus purchase Reserve and a Capital Reserve. These results show the continued commitment of our community toward the education of our children in the Victor Central School District. Special thanks to the faculty and staff who make our schools a great place to learn. We look forward to our continued collaboration with this outstanding community for years to come.
In addition, we congratulate incumbent Board members, Tim DeLucia and Kristin Elliott and newcomer Lisa Kostecki for winning three year uncontested seats on the VCS Board of Education. Special thanks to Christopher Eckhardt who chose not to run for a second term for his dedication and commitment to our children.
Below are the results from the Annual Budget Vote and Election:
The Budget Proposition passed. (2559 yes to 1857 no)
The School Bus Proposition passed. (2682 yes to 1751 no)
The 2022 Capital Reserve Fund Proposition passed. (2669 yes to 1861 no)
The 2022 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund Proposition passed. (2647 yes to 1868 no)
The Victor Farmington Library Funding Proposition was defeated. (1415 yes to 3256 no)
Education
Bachelor of Science, Management, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1993-1997
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, 2000-2002
Community Activities
• Victor Community Baseball & Softball, Softball Board, Treasurer, 2020 – present
• Victor Community Baseball & Softball, Coach, 2017 – 2020
• Victor PTSA, Member
Family
Husband: Joe Kostecki, Children: Eliza (Grade: 8) and Ethan (Grade: 6), Pets: Scarlet Begonias & Mustang Sally (dogs), Charlotte & Oreo (guinea pigs)
Personal Statement
I have always believed that public schools are the backbone of our community and a main reason why our family chose to relocate to Victor 13 years ago. We have been so grateful for the teachers our children have had and their lasting effect on our family. Most importantly though, I’m aware of the challenges our family and others have faced and continue to face in our district. Having spent the past 20 years in the higher education industry, I’ve seen firsthand what a strong partnership between administrators, teachers, parents, and students can accomplish, along with what it takes to help drive student success. I have worked tirelessly throughout my career to achieve accessibility, affordability, and a sense of belonging for all students. I believe this experience will allow me to make a positive impact for Victor schools as a member of the Board of Education.
Education
BS, Business Administration – Rochester Institute of Technology
Profession
Retired Business Manager
Community Activities
• Current President of the VCS Board of Education
• Farmington Zoning Board of Appeals Chair
• WFL BOCES Board of Education member
VCS Board representative to the: Leadership Committee, District Audit committee, District Advocacy Committee, District Advocacy Sub-committee, Monroe County SBA Information Exchange Committee, Monroe County SBA Labor Relations Committee, and Monroe County SBA Legislative Committee
Family
Wife - Marilyn, Son - Michael (1997 VCS Grad); Daughter - Erin (1999 VCS Grad)
Personal Statement
As a Board Member, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the school community and to be part of the process that has enabled us to provide a wealth of educational opportunities for our students. These opportunities offer our students the preparation needed to be “world ready,” follow their dreams, and to meet the challenges for success.
I have been privileged to work with a talented and dedicated team of District professionals that have provided programs to meet the needs and interests of ALL students, while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the District residents. I will continue to support these efforts.
I would be honored to continue to work as a Board member to support the vision to improve, develop, and offer a strong educational foundation for the children of our community.
Education
Fairport High School, 1987
University of Buffalo (SUNY) BA Geography, 1992
Roberts Wesleyan College, M.Ed., 1998
Profession
• Gates Chili High School – Secondary Science Teacher 1994 – present; CT/Collaborative teaching model 21 years, AIS services
Community Activities
• Current Member Victor Board of Education – since 2016
• Pastel Society of Western N.Y. – Member/Artist
• Rochester Woman Magazine- April 2012 Cover Article/Entrepreneur
• VCS Board representative to the: Graduates of Distinction Committee, Campus Improvement Committee, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Board Liaison, and District Audit Committee
Family
Husband - Rick (VCS Grad), Daughters: Savannah (VCS Grad ’16), Payton (VCS Grad ’18), Carlee (VCS Grad ’21)
Personal Statement
For the third time, I am a proud candidate for Victor Central School’s Board of Education and I am thankful for having had the opportunity and your confidence to serve these past six years. As a HS educator my last 28 years, I’ve brought to the Board a skillset which has allowed me to provide insight and input into engaging and important conversations with students, staff, leadership, and the community. These conversations and relationships have been, and are ever more, critical as we transition into an exciting and fresh chapter for VCS, framed by the District’s newly created Strategic Plan. This plan, of which I was a committee member, comprehensively addresses the many academic, artistic, athletic, and mental health needs of our collective school population. Specific areas of concern I critically identified in my tenure are the very objectives that surfaced as needs and were highlighted as areas to work on in the future. I look forward to moving forward with the Board, leadership team, and staff to see this work through. With an informed and “healthy” budget, Victor is poised to make great things happen! I humbly dedicate myself to listening, reflecting, and representing the voices raised in both our school community, and in our greater community. I will, together with my highly skilled Board colleagues, continue to make effective decisions based on sound educational practice, fiscal responsibility, immense pride, and a long-standing commitment to the students of Victor Central. I thank you, most sincerely, for your support.
VCS is understaffed compared to surrounding districts in many areas. The 2022-23 budget addresses needed areas such as social-emotional learning support, safety and security, facility cleanliness, special education, Academic Intervention Services, clerical support, increases in art, music, and physical education, increases in classroom teacher aide support for our youngest learners, and continued stabilization of class sizes.
The addition of this large number of new positions is extraordinary for one year. Two points to consider regarding this increase are: 1) Despite the increase in staffing, our tax rate for next school year is projected to be less than 2.0% (1.83%) and most likely will be less than this when final tax numbers come out in the summer and; 2) We have been significantly understaffed in most areas for many years. We are extremely hopeful that we can stabilize the staffing numbers for future years by adding the positions for next school year.
A tax levy is the total sum of money raised by a school district after subtracting out all other sources of revenue, including state aid. The tax levy is used to determine the tax rate for property owners.
A tax rate is the amount of taxes paid by property owners for each $1,000 of assessed value of their property. Tax rates paid by individual taxpayers may differ greatly from one household to another, based on such things as equalization rates and assessed property values.
The tax rate for next year is dependent on assessment levels which are unknown at this time. If we assumed the same assessments as last year, on average, a taxpayer can expect their school taxes to increase 1.83%.
The tax cap is a calculation created by the State of New York. If a district attempts to levy taxes beyond the tax cap they would require a 60% +1 vote super majority. Victor is not breaking the tax cap.
The 2% tax cap limit pertains to inflation. Actual inflation for last year was 4.7% but this tax cap only allows for a 2% increase specific to inflation. NYS tax cap calculation limits the District’s ability to adjust for inflation.
The District is expected to receive 82% of the state’s calculated Foundation Aid, which is up from 64% in 2021-2022. Despite the increase in Foundation Aid the District is still increasing the tax levy to further address staffing several major positions such as mental health, reading intervention, special education, technology, and cleaning. The combination of increased state aid and an increased tax levy will ensure these services continue to be offered to students in future years, since both are recurring revenues.
Under Section 259 of New York State Education Law school districts are responsible for placing library funding propositions on school district ballots. Please note that the Victor Farmington Library Funding Proposition is not part of the Victor Central School District Budget.
Deadline for Submission of the preliminary Tax Cap Calculation
Information and District's Calculation of Tax Levy Limit to OSC,
NYSED, and NYS Taxation and Finance
First Legal Ad posting - Required 49 days prior to Budget Vote
Legal notice of school budget hearing and budget vote. Must advertise 4 times within seven weeks of the vote with first publication 45 days before the date of the budget vote. Must be published in at least two newspapers of general circulation
Last day to file "Property Tax Report Card" to SED.
Due next business day following its approval by the school board, but no later than the 24th day before the budget vote.
Parents!
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