BOE Budget Discussion | April 30, 2026

The Rochester City School District Board of Education held a budget discussion on April 30, 2026, focusing on the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. Key procurement-related topics included the district's projected $61 million deficit for the next year and the need to use $23.9 million from fund balance. The board discussed potential budget adjustments such as reducing or eliminating the Center for Youth contract to reallocate funds toward social workers, school counselors, and home hospital teachers. The meeting also covered capital and programmatic investments, including expanding pre-K programming with a mixed delivery model involving district centers and community-based organizations, with an estimated $1.8 million in facility costs for pre-K center relocations funded by pre-K grants. Home hospital instruction was reviewed with proposals to optimize staffing by shifting to a tiered model of individualized and small group instruction to improve efficiency without compromising quality. The board also discussed the expansion of community schools, supported by a $1 million philanthropic grant and state aid, aiming for all schools to become community schools by 2028, with phased implementation and ongoing funding considerations. Additionally, the redesign of the Rochester International Academy was presented to improve services for multilingual learners, emphasizing compliance, equity, and access. Commissioners raised concerns about data accuracy, transportation barriers, and the need for clearer budget documentation. The board plans further deliberations and a final budget vote on May 12, 2026.