BY Spectrum News Staff Rochester
UPDATED 9:37 AM ET Apr. 28, 2026 PUBLISHED 9:38 PM ET Apr. 27, 2026

Protestors gathered outside Rochester City Hall on Monday over proposed cuts to programs in the upcoming Rochester City School District budget.

Rochester City Council held a hearing on the RCSD budget, one day ahead of another deliberation session for the Board of Education.

The group The Children’s Agenda says it’s protesting parts of the proposal, which it says target supportive services that benefit the mental health of students, such as counselors and therapists.

“It’s clear we need these programs, we need these teachers, we need these counselors so our students have a fair shot at success and have the support they need to graduate and get good grades and become successful citizens in society,” said Isabel Rosa of The Children’s Agenda.

Superintendent Eric Jay Rosser says he is glad to see people advocating for themselves, but says what is printed represents an incomplete budget. He says the proposal is based on the governor’s executive budget, which is still held up in Albany.

“Unfortunately, our community doesn’t understand the complexity of the budget process,” said Rosser. “I will say it is our role and responsibility as a school district to better educate on what we are planning.”

Rosser adds that there will be a clearer picture as they learn about financial revenue streams before a final budget proposal can be made.

The Board of Education’s budget adoption vote is set for May 5.

Original article here: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2026/04/28/rochester-city-council-holds-rcsd-budget-hearing-as-groups-raise-concerns-over-potential-c