This review of the Rochester City School District (RCSD) 2024-2025 draft budget by The Children’s Agenda highlights some of the pressing needs facing students at RCSD and offers solutions that the administration should adopt. The Children’s Agenda reviewed the RCSD budget as an independent advocacy organization focusing on what works best for kids based on current research. Our areas of focus were developed over years of collaboration with caregivers, students, and community partners.

Areas of Focus:

• Reconfiguration of Schools and School Closures
• Student Mental Health
• School Climate and School Discipline
• Students with Disabilities
• English Language Learners
• Early Childhood
• Budget Transparency

Each section provides relevant data, commendations, and policy and funding solutions. In collaboration with the Very Invested Parents (VIPs), we have identified five priority recommendations that are highlighted below.

Priority Recommendations

• Telehealth in every school
• Mental Health Clinic or School-Based Health Clinic with mental health services in every school
• Funding for 15 Roc Restorative Coaches
• We fully support the funding for Help Zones/alternative to suspension rooms in every school already included in the 2024-2025 draft budget
• Adequate staffing to have special education evaluations done in a timely manner