The Rochester City School District (RCSD) is facing unprecedented mid-year reductions in education aid from New York State. These cuts surpass the losses faced by any other school district in Monroe County, and are among the highest of any school district in New York State. The state’s current approach to budget reductions disproportionately targets districts with the highest needs, undermines the purpose of New York State aid to local school districts, and bolsters institutional racism in our community.

Any form of across-the-board state aid cuts disproportionately harms higher need districts.

Under a 20% cut scenario:
– Monroe County would lose nearly $262 million in state aid, or $2,492 per student.
– RCSD would incur 53% of all cuts in the county, despite having only 26% of the county’s students.
– RCSD’s losses would amount to a staggering $139 million, or $4,424 per pupil.
– Comparing student need between districts, RCSD has a far higher share of Monroe County’s English Language Learners (66%), Black and brown children (64%), students with disabilities (40%), and economically disadvantaged children (48%) as compared to all other districts.

These children will suffer the most from these disproportionate cuts.