(ROCHESTER, NY) - Today, Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester) announced that Governor Hochul signed their Rochester City School District Modernization Bill (S7157B/A7385) into law. The legislation authorizes an additional $125 million, for a total of $600 million, to complete Phase III of the Modernization Program, marking a significant win for RCSD fulfilling their commitment to provide regular maintenance and upgrades to their aging buildings. This investment will not only bring existing RCSD buildings into the 21st century, but ensure they meet the needs of modern curriculum and are comparable with the buildings in surrounding suburban school districts. 

“As the first and only graduate of the Rochester City School District to serve in the State Senate in decades, the students and faculty of RCSD have always held a special place in my heart,” said Senator Cooney. “Our urban schools should have the same amenities as our suburban schools. This is about creating equal opportunities for student success, regardless of your home zip code.” He further stated, “Alongside Assemblymember Bronson and my colleagues in the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation, I have consistently fought for RCSD to create a positive learning environment for our youth. The Rochester Schools Modernization Project is about making sure children in our city are learning in the kinds of facilities they deserve, and I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s support as we worked to make this a reality for our students.” 

“The RCSD Modernization Project is a win for our students and our economy. This investment is about ensuring our students have safe, healthy places to learn. This initiative is also partnering with the Rochester Building & Construction Trades to provide good, middle-class jobs to local residents, ensuring our taxpayer dollars are reinvested in our community,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “In collaboration with Senator Cooney and my Greater Rochester Delegation Colleagues, we are providing RCSD students, teachers and support staff with the dignified, safe places to learn and work which they deserve. I am thankful to Governor Hochul for supporting RCSD students, families, and employees with this investment.” 

The multi-phased Rochester Schools Modernization Program is one of the largest public works projects in Rochester’s history. Senator Cooney and Assemblymember Bronson spearheaded the implementation of Phase III of the School Modernization project in 2021, after years of delay in the state legislature.The passage of this bill creates greater financial flexibility for RCSD as they make capital improvements on buildings and grounds throughout the district, and will enable RCSD to complete modernization efforts without any disruptions to school operations. 

Nearly half of RCSD’s buildings are over 75 years old, and faced with failing and outdated infrastructure. Among the accomplishments from Phase 1 & II was the addition of air conditioning to five of RCSD’s largest school buildings, renovations to the Franklin Auditorium, and the addition of a synthetic turf field at East High School. 

Phase III is focused on building upgrades for security features, such as entryways and exits, as well as increasing capacity for career and technical education. Six RCSD schools will undergo renovations: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #9, Wilson Commencement, East Campus, Frederick Douglass Campus, Edison Career & Tech HS, and the newly named Padilla High School (formerly Franklin Campus). 

To ensure the quality and timely completion of the work, the RCSD Modernization Project intends to enter into a PLA with the Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council, so that all work is done using local labor, providing good middle-class jobs in our region. It also ensures the timely completion of all projects and that projects stay within budget.

The RCSD Modernization Bill was supported by Members of the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation, and co-sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk, Assemblywoman Sarah Clark, Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, and Assemblyman Demond Meeks. 

Senator Cooney and Assemblymembers Bronson also announced the signing of S8218/A8606, a bill that will create clearer specifications to ensure that any savings as a part of the project are directed back for the benefit of students and faculty. 

“We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the members of our State Delegation for championing Phase III of the Rochester Schools Modernization Program,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “This investment moves us closer to giving our students the safe, modern, and uplifting learning spaces they deserve. Phase III will help us create schools that spark curiosity, support strong instruction, and open the door to greater opportunities for every learner.”

“I want to thank State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Assemblymember Harry Bronson, and our entire State Legislative Delegation for securing this funding, as well as Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation, to keep the Rochester Schools Modernization Program moving forward,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Bringing Rochester’s schools into the 21st century is critical for the successful education of our students. Just as importantly, these investments send Rochester’s children a clear message that they deserve the same high-quality classrooms and learning environments, state-of-the-art technology, and modern facilities for extracurricular activities as their peers in the suburbs.” 

 “With the leadership of Senator Cooney and Assemblymember Bronson and the support of Governor Hochul and our legislative delegation, we can now get the Modernization Project on track to complete the work contemplated for Phase III,” said Tom Richards, Chairman of the Rochester City Schools Modernization Board. “Considerable planning has gone into developing the work necessary to bring the schools in this Phase to the condition necessary to support a modern day education for our City School District students.  We are anxious to get to work and this legislation is a big step forward.”

“This announcement is what happens when State, local Government and the local community all work together towards a common goal!  This is an investment in our future so we can offer future generations an opportunity to succeed in life with a School System that is safe and is giving them the tools and confidence to be successful in life,” said Grant S. Malone, Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council President. “By working with the Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council, we are assuring that the work being performed here on this project will be done by the highest skilled trades people, here locally. When you utilize a PLA (Project Labor Agreement ) you are taking advantage of our NYS Registered Apprenticeship Programs which gives anyone a start to a middle class life and to a sustaining career in the construction industry. Along with earning a living wage, it provides a health care plan and a very competitive retirement opportunity. It also ensures that no one is being left behind by utilizing MBE, DBE and WBE goals that opens opportunities for all that are willing to better their lifestyle. I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of this project: Elected officials at the State and local level that have helped to make this a win-win for our Rochester School System and our Community.”

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