A proposal in the fine print of Governor Cuomo's state budget would help the Rochester City School District close its budget gap...if it agrees to accept a financial monitor appointed by the state. The plan is for the state to give Rochester schools $25 million in new aid...plus appoint a monitor to make sure it's being spent properly.
State Senator Rich Funke tells 13 WHAM the aid would avoid more teacher and staff cuts for the rest of this school year. He says he wouldn't be in favor of the aid if it didn't come with some oversight by the state.
The monitor would watch both fiscal and academic performance by district leaders on behalf of the State Education Department. Assemblyman Harry Bronson says the Rochester legislative delegation has been trying to get the additional $25 million for city schools. He also favors the monitor.
The City School District has already laid off teachers in order to save about $10 million as it tries to close a budget gap of around $30 million.