Rochester Schools Board Weighs Tax-Neutral Facility Overhaul, Delays Vote to August
District leaders pitched consolidating Churchill-Hoover into a single K-5 school, decentralizing CEK courses and renovating space for Phoenix Academy, but board members pressed for clearer answers on financing and student moves.
Rochester Public Schools administrators presented a sweeping facility strategy recommendation and financing plan to the Independent School District 535 board, describing it as a tax-neutral package that would consolidate an elementary school, relocate alternative and special education programs and spread career and technical courses across the district's three high schools. No action was taken on the recommendation, which was scheduled for the board's August 4 meeting.
The proposal would combine the current Churchill K-2 and Hoover 3-5 buildings into a single K-5 elementary school housed at Churchill, with an addition to accommodate relocated Alternative Learning Center and RAIL programs. Early learning programs would move to Gage Elementary, Phoenix Academy would be renovated with a temporary relocation to the Friedell building, and CEK courses now offered at the RCTC campus — including auto mechanics — would be distributed to Century, John Marshall and Mayo high schools. The Friedell building, also known as the Education Service Center, would eventually be sold.
The appropriate question, however, is not whether the proposal is perfect, but it is whether it is better than the status quo and better than the other alternatives that are available to us.
Finance officials stress no tax increase
Administrators told the board the plan would not require additional tax dollars, drawing on a combination of funding sources and projected operating savings from ending the district's centralized career and technical education site.
The one thing on this particular slide that I want to make sure we point out is the actual what we expect to be some annual savings by the decentralization of CEK.
It's really important that we identify that this plan is a tax neutral plan.
Other Topics from This Document
Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Plan Approval
Want to know when new stories arrive?
Enter your email to receive updates.
We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.