RCSD Proposing Closures For Five Schools
By: Mark Gruba
Updated: November 2, 2012
Rochester City School District Superintendent Bolgen Vargas announced a plan to revamp district schools. It comes with a $625 million price tag and calls for the closing of some schools.
Five buildings, which house schools 16, 22, 25, 36 and 37 in the city would close over the next decade. So why now? Remember the district has already begun the first phas of a $1.2 billion modernization project. All the while, Rochester has lost 6,000 students over the last 10 years. Aging buildings like School #36, which was built in 1898, have been targeted by the district for closure. The proposal, which is not set in stone, is not sitting well with parents.
"This school is part of this community, it's a part of us, why would they close it," asks Maria Lopez.
"I never liked the sound of schools being closed. It takes away their education to me," said Darnell Wallace.
Before making any decisions, the city school board is seeking public input through a series of meetings over the next three months. The first meeting is set for Monday at 5:30 p.m. at School #3. A complete list of the meetings can be found here.
Five buildings, which house schools 16, 22, 25, 36 and 37 in the city would close over the next decade. So why now? Remember the district has already begun the first phas of a $1.2 billion modernization project. All the while, Rochester has lost 6,000 students over the last 10 years. Aging buildings like School #36, which was built in 1898, have been targeted by the district for closure. The proposal, which is not set in stone, is not sitting well with parents.
"This school is part of this community, it's a part of us, why would they close it," asks Maria Lopez.
"I never liked the sound of schools being closed. It takes away their education to me," said Darnell Wallace.
Before making any decisions, the city school board is seeking public input through a series of meetings over the next three months. The first meeting is set for Monday at 5:30 p.m. at School #3. A complete list of the meetings can be found here.
