A budget deal reached in Albany will give a $35 million state aid “spinup” to the Rochester City School District, closing the remaining gap in this year’s district budget.
According to Assemblyman Harry Bronson and State Senator Rich Funke, the deal includes a condition: a state-appointed monitor who will supervise the district’s spending and educational programs until 2023. The RCSD must also pay the money back, by accepting $1.5 million less in state funding per year until the payment is made up.
The payment will lose the rest of a $60 million budget gap caused by massive district overspending before current Superintendent Terry Dade came on board. Dade and School Board President Van White issued a joint statement thanking local lawmakers for the spinup at a time when the state is facing billions in lost revenues from the coronavirus crisis.
The State Education Commissioner will appoint the monitor, who will function as an ad-hoc member of the school board.