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Rochester School Board approves $986 million budget

The Rochester Board of Education approved the 2021-2022 budget, a $986 million plan that is $58 million higher than the current spending plan.

The budget benefited from more than $220 million in federal stimulus money as well an $84 million increase in state aid.

Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small said, "This budget is not only balanced and educationally sound, it also continues to address the needs of students in one of the highest-needs districts in the State of New York. District data shows we are continuing on the right trajectory to help more students graduate even during a year complicated by learning in a remote learning environment while also dealing with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic."

District officials said the budget lays a foundation for a shift from constantly focusing on the fiscal stability of the RCSD to the prioritization of academics and student performance.

They said the spending plan also addresses the consent decree and corrective action plans for special education and bilingual education.

City Council will vote on the school budget June 15.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.