Rochester, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation allocating $125 million to Phase III of the Rochester City School District's Modernization Project, marking a significant milestone for the region's aging school infrastructure. This substantial funding injection will transform six schools across the district, addressing safety concerns and expanding career and technical education capacity.
The modernization effort will focus on updating six schools within the Rochester City School District (RCSD), according to the Rochester Business Journal's reporting on November 24, 2025. The targeted facilities include:
This targeted approach addresses a critical infrastructure challenge: nearly half of the district's buildings are more than 75 years old, according to the announcement. The modernization project represents a necessary investment to bring aging facilities into the 21st century while meeting the demands of modern curriculum and student safety standards.
The $125 million allocation emphasizes two critical areas: security enhancements and career and technical education expansion. Improvements will include new entryways and exits, addressing safety concerns that have plagued older school buildings nationwide. Additionally, the funding will increase capacity for career and technical education programs, positioning Rochester students for success in growing industries.
As State Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) noted in the official announcement, "Our urban schools should have the same amenities as our suburban schools. This is about creating equal opportunities for student success, regardless of your home ZIP Code."
A critical component of Phase III is the implementation of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council. This agreement ensures that the modernization project will utilize local labor and maintain requirements for on-time project completion, creating substantial economic benefits for Rochester's construction workforce.
Grant Malone, president of the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council, emphasized the workforce development implications: "When you utilize a PLA, you are taking advantage of our NYS Registered Apprenticeship Program, which gives anyone a start to a middle-class life and to sustaining a career in the construction industry. This is an investment in our future so we can offer future generations an opportunity to succeed in life with a school system that is safe and is giving them the tools and confidence to be successful in life."
Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester) added, "The RCSD Modernization Project is a win for our students and our economy. This investment is about ensuring our students have safe, healthy places to learn. This initiative is also partnering with the Rochester Building & Construction Trades to provide good, middle-class jobs to local residents, ensuring our taxpayer dollars are reinvested in our community."
This $125 million allocation represents the latest phase of a comprehensive, multi-year modernization strategy. The funding comes at a time when New York state is increasingly investing in urban school infrastructure, recognizing that facility quality directly impacts student outcomes and workforce readiness.
The modernization addresses not just physical infrastructure but also curriculum needs. By expanding career and technical education capacity, the Rochester City School District is positioning itself to meet regional workforce demands in skilled trades and technical fields—sectors that are experiencing significant growth and worker shortages.
For construction firms and contractors in the Rochester region, the Phase III modernization project represents significant economic opportunity. The Project Labor Agreement ensures sustained, quality-focused work with apprenticeship training components, creating pathways for new workers to enter the construction trades while maintaining professional standards.
The schools that will benefit—particularly Edison Career & Tech High School—will gain modern facilities for training students in construction and skilled trades, creating a pipeline of trained workers for the region's construction and manufacturing sectors.
Source: Rochester Business Journal, "$125M on the way for Rochester City School District building upgrades," published November 24, 2025, by Kevin Oklobzija. Official announcement signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
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