ThisIsRochester.com: Schools

Harley, Allendale-Columbia call off proposed merger

July 23, 2019 -- The board of trustees at Allendale Columbia School has opted to not follow through with a proposed merger with The Harley School.

The schools announced in April that they intended to merge in stages over a two-year period. Instead, the Allendale Columbia board says it will launch an "aggressive" fundraising effort to stabilize finances.

Allendale Columbia and Harley already have a combined sports program that will not be affected by the decision to call off the merger.

Greece nixes proposed move by charter school

July 16, 2019 -- A charter school's proposal to house some of its students in a former day care center on Long Pond Road has been denied by the Town of Greece.

Town officials rejected Rochester Academy Charter School's proposal to move its elementary school to the vacant Care-A-Lot Child Care Center owned by Wegmans Food Markets. Last year, neighbors successfully fought to keep Jeremiah's Tavern from opening a restaurant on the property.

Rochester Academy Charter School operates a high school in the former Our Mother of Sorrows School building on Latta Road. Its elementary school shares a space with Bishop Kearney High School in Irondequoit.

Next round of RCSD improvements held up in Albany

July 9, 2019 -- The third phase of the $1.4 billion School Modernization Act intended to upgrade Rochester City School District facilities is stalled in Albany after lawmakers adjourned for the summer without approving the funding.

Major work at Schools No. 2, 4, 6, 10, 22 and 54 plus Monroe, East and Edison high schools is affected, according to Allen Williams, chair of the School Modernization Board.

Infighting amongst local Democrats in the state assembly may be a factor in the delay. Assemblyman David Gantt accused colleague Harry Bronson of holding up the necessary legislation. Bronson says he acted immediately to move the papwerwork along but requested clarifications from Gantt and the RCSD didn't arrive before the state legislature left Albany in mid-June.

Williams estimated that the delay could add as much as $50 million to labor and materials costs.

East Rochester superintendent resigns

July 9, 2019 -- Mark Linton has resigned as the superintendent of the East Rochester Union Free School District.

Linton, who had worked for the district since July 2015, was placed on administrative leave in May. The school board and the district have not disclosed why.

Richard Stutzman will continue serving as the district's interim superintendent.

Comptroller cites issues with two suburban school districts

June 28, 2019 -- The Victor and Gates Chili school districts have been flagged for unrelates issues in routine audits conducted by the State Comptroller's Office.

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office said the Gates Chili Central School District raised property taxes by about $2.6 million over the past three years despite having sufficient funds to cover rising expenses.

The district also allegedly made over $12 million in unbudgeted year-end transfers and overstated its encumbrances by about $827,000.

In Victor, DiNapoli's office said the school food surplus fund balance has been near $800,000 for several years, about half of yearly expenditures. The comptroller said excess funds could have been used to lower student meal costs, but the district has instead raised meal prices each year.

The Victor district is also accused of overfunding two general fund reserves and circumventing surplus fund balance statutory limits.

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	More from 2019 Harley, Allendale-Columbia call off proposed merger July 23, 2019 -- The board of trustees at Allendale Columbia School has opted to not follow through with a proposed merger with The Harley School. The schools announced in April that they intended to merge in stages over a two-year period. Instead, the Allendale Columbia board says it will launch an "aggressive" fundraising effort to stabilize finances. Allendale Columbia and Harley already have a combined sports program that will not be affected by the decision to call off the merger. Greece nixes proposed move by charter school July 16, 2019 -- A charter school's proposal to house some of its students in a former day care center on Long Pond Road has been denied by the Town of Greece. Town officials rejected Rochester Academy Charter School's proposal to move its elementary school to the vacant Care-A-Lot Child Care Center owned by Wegmans Food Markets. Last year, neighbors successfully fought to keep Jeremiah's Tavern from opening a restaurant on the property. Rochester Academy Charter School operates a high school in the former Our Mother of Sorrows School building on Latta Road. Its elementary school shares a space with Bishop Kearney High School in Irondequoit. Next round of RCSD improvements held up in Albany July 9, 2019 -- The third phase of the $1.4 billion School Modernization Act intended to upgrade Rochester City School District facilities is stalled in Albany after lawmakers adjourned for the summer without approving the funding. Major work at Schools No. 2, 4, 6, 10, 22 and 54 plus Monroe, East and Edison high schools is affected, according to Allen Williams, chair of the School Modernization Board. Infighting amongst local Democrats in the state assembly may be a factor in the delay. Assemblyman David Gantt accused colleague Harry Bronson of holding up the necessary legislation. Bronson says he acted immediately to move the papwerwork along but requested clarifications from Gantt and the RCSD didn't arrive before the state legislature left Albany in mid-June. Williams estimated that the delay could add as much as $50 million to labor and materials costs. East Rochester superintendent resigns July 9, 2019 -- Mark Linton has resigned as the superintendent of the East Rochester Union Free School District. Linton, who had worked for the district since July 2015, was placed on administrative leave in May. The school board and the district have not disclosed why. Richard Stutzman will continue serving as the district's interim superintendent. Comptroller cites issues with two suburban school districts June 28, 2019 -- The Victor and Gates Chili school districts have been flagged for unrelates issues in routine audits conducted by the State Comptroller's Office. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office said the Gates Chili Central School District raised property taxes by about $2.6 million over the past three years despite having sufficient funds to cover rising expenses. The district also allegedly made over $12 million in unbudgeted year-end transfers and overstated its encumbrances by about $827,000. In Victor, DiNapoli's office said the school food surplus fund balance has been near $800,000 for several years, about half of yearly expenditures. The comptroller said excess funds could have been used to lower student meal costs, but the district has instead raised meal prices each year. The Victor district is also accused of overfunding two general fund reserves and circumventing surplus fund balance statutory limits. [ LOOK BACK AT OLDER STORIES ]