The Rochester City Council approved the City School District budget last night, before today’s deadline but not without some reluctance.
School Board Member Beatriz LeBron sent a letter to Council President Loretta Scott, raising concerns that the district might be facing bankruptcy in a few years if it doesn’t change its spending patterns. The school budget calls for major additions to staffing, especially in the special education department which has been a continuing problem for city schools. The district is banking on getting enough state aid this year to cover the costs. School Board finance chair Willa Powell called it a risk the district can afford to take this year, but possibly not in the future.
Some councilmembers were distressed at the idea, fearing the city could be liable for any potential shortfall in the school budget.
The budget passed by a 6-3 vote, with councilmembers including Adam McFadden saying tough choices will have to be made in the future.