Griffo secures $1.25 million to improve NYS School for the Deaf in Rome

ROME – State Senator Joseph Griffo on Wednesday announced $1.25 million in state funding he secured for building improvements at the New York School for the Deaf in Rome.

The New York State School for the Deaf in Rome was founded in 1874, and currently educates about 60 students from all over the state who are deaf or hearing-impaired. With students attending from areas like Syracuse, Albany, Watertown and Binghamton, and from as far as New York City and north of the Adirondacks, about half of the students are housed at the facility at 401 Turin St. during the weekdays.

But the oldest portion of the facility that is connected to the main building was constructed in the 1930s, and is in serious disrepair with a leaking roof, Senator Griffo explained from a room on the second floor, where the ceiling is crumbling in. This building was once part of the educational facility and housed the vocational classroom, music and several administrative offices, but it has remained closed to students ever since the early 1990s and is currently used for storage.

Using $1.25 million in funding secured by Senator Griffo, the plan is to repair the roof, windows, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, as well as various other structural improvements, in order to make the building safe and stable for both students and the community to use once again.

“The New York State School for the Deaf has been serving students from all over the state for 143 years, helping them excel academically and athletically, while also teaching them life skills that can better prepare them for a fulfilling future,” State Senator Joseph Griffo said. “The best way to provide the finest education possible is to ensure that these students can make the most of the school resources that are available, and that means improving their building to allow access to all the facility has to offer. The School for the Deaf has had a significant presence in our community for generations, and we hate to see such an important asset deteriorate any further. I am glad to have been able to secure this funding to maintain a safe educational environment for these students, their teachers and staff, and I look forward to the improvements that will help return this school to the structurally sound facility it once was.”  

“On behalf of the students, staff, and the community I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Senator Griffo for his advocacy in providing this tremendous opportunity,” said David Hubman, Superintendent of the New York State School for the Deaf in Rome. “The funding provided will allow us to renovate and prevent the building from further deterioration. This building is the last of the original structures and this community certainly appreciates the support from Senator Griffo in renovating this structure. Again, on behalf of the students, staff and the community, thank you very much.”

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