RH Newsletter Feb 2026 - Flipbook - Page 2
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Developing a Budget Based on Shared Values
Dear Rush-Henrietta Residents,
We want our community to be well informed before this year’s annual budget vote. I
invite you to become more involved and learn about the district’s budget process and
budget proposal in the weeks ahead. The budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.
In October, I invited community members to attend two informational meetings
about different aspects of the budget-development process. We also talked about
state rules that school districts must follow when creating a spending plan. Upcoming
opportunities to learn about the budget process and proposal are publicized at the
bottom of this page. The annual budget newsletter will be mailed in May.
Members of the Rush-Henrietta Budget Advisory Council are providing feedback, too. The council provides a way for
stakeholders and myself to share ideas and understandings that are necessary for the successful development of a
budget that best represents community values. Those values always prioritize supporting student success, and rightly
so. In recent years, our community made clear that those values also include supporting district employees, who make
student achievement possible.
Let’s Talk About Those Values
It had become clear to everyone involved that Rush-Henrietta had lost its competitive edge in terms of the salary and
benefits the district had been offering. This made it challenging for us to retain loyal and talented employees. Our
efforts to recruit new employees were hampered by starting pay rates that were not competitive. At the same time, we
had to balance an appealing salary rate for new hires with rates of existing employees.
For two years, Rush-Henrietta has successfully negotiated with a renewed spirit of collaboration to help the district
become a more attractive destination to work. An agreement negotiated with the Administrators Association of RushHenrietta, approved in August 2024, provided the first evidence of this new approach. That same process worked
well again in June 2025 with the successful ratification of a new agreement with our teachers. In addition, the Board
of Education approved a new contract in November 2025 between the district and three additional bargaining units –
Administrative Support Professionals, Bus Drivers and Monitors, and Paraprofessionals. As we look ahead, the Facilities
and Mechanics Employees contract will expire in June 2026. The district looks forward to collaborating with those unit
leaders, as well. To demonstrate to potential employees that Rush-Henrietta is more competitive these days, we placed
these Collective Bargaining Unit agreements online (www.rhnet.org/agreements). Please keep R-H in mind whenever
you hear about someone looking for a school-related job. See some of our openings on the back cover!
Let us express our sincere thanks to the community for its strong support of our employees. Our community members
told us for several years we needed to do more for them and we listened to you. We appreciate and value your support
of the Rush-Henrietta Central School District.
Sincerely,
Highlights of Recent Negotiations:
Dr. Barbara Mullen, Superintendent
• More Competitive Wages
• Dental Insurance Now Offered
• Enhanced Benefits to Improve Quality of Life
COMMUNITY BUDGET SESSIONS
MARCH 25
APRIL 1
APRIL 22
MAY 4
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Monday
BAC Community
Budget Forum
Rush United
Methodist Church
Henrietta
Public Library
Guardian
Angels Church
6200 Rush Lima Road
Rush, 6 p.m.
625 Calkins Road
Henrietta, 6 p.m., Community Room
2061 E. Henrietta Road
Henrietta, 6 p.m.
Parker Administration Building
2034 Lehigh Station Road
Henrietta, 6:30 p.m.
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