Board adopts legislative priorities; modernization funding increased to $600 million

The Rochester City School District board voted to adopt a slate of legislative priorities that the administration will carry to the state, while staff recommended not listing facilities modernization as a priority after a recent state action boosted local funding.

Chief Madisal Ramos Lopez said the district will include foundation aid, transportation, and social‑emotional health services among top priorities. Board members discussed whether to broaden the item to refer explicitly to Medicaid given ongoing policy changes at the state level; several commissioners asked staff to edit the language to include Medicaid alongside social‑emotional health services in time for January advocacy work.

Staff also reported that Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation adding $125,000,000 to the RCSD modernization program, bringing phase‑3 funding to $600,000,000. The board thanked the local delegation for the legislative outcome and agreed that, because the state has already acted on modernization funding, the district should focus its January advocacy on other priorities.

Commissioner LeBron and others urged the board to continue advocating for future phases of modernization to address older buildings that still need work. The board adopted the recommended priorities by a voice vote and instructed staff to circulate revised language to include Medicaid support ahead of planned legislative breakfasts and meetings.