Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation that would have supported the ongoing efforts to rebuild Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. The legislation would have allowed the Binghamton City School District to access two-times its multi-year cost allowance from the State.
“This is extremely disappointing news. Accessing this funding upfront would have allowed for a quicker and more cost-effective rebuild of Roosevelt. The importance of this school to the North & East Sides of the City cannot be understated. Despite this setback, this project remains a top priority for the Binghamton City School District. We look forward to working with the Governor and our representatives during the State Budget process to find ways to address the needs of this project. Thank you to the entire community that has supported this project from the beginning; I’d also like to thank Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Senator Lea Webb for passing this bill and their ongoing advocacy,” said Dr. Thompson, Superintendent of Schools.
In a joint statement, Senator Webb and Assemblywoman Lupardo said: “We are disappointed that our Roosevelt Elementary bill was vetoed. It would have expedited the much-needed reconstruction of the school, by giving the district access to a larger amount of construction aid. The veto memo contains a pledge from the Governor to work with us on an alternative way to help fund the project, through the state budget process. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Roosevelt Elementary community and to creating a safe and healthy learning environment for the students on the Northside. A heartfelt thank you to the community for their support; we would not have come this far without their advocacy.”
In her accompanying veto message, Governor Hochul wrote: “I am sensitive to the needs of the Binghamton community and its challenges in conducting the necessary renovations to Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, including remediation of safety concerns. I am committed to working with the bill sponsors and local stakeholders to develop a plan to address the needs of the Binghamton community through the State Budget process.”
The District’s Capital Committee will now be tasked with identifying next steps to begin a multi-phase approach to renovation of the existing building. The District will keep the community informed throughout the process. Like all capital projects, the reconstruction of Roosevelt will also require approval from school district voters.
Roosevelt has numerous facility issues that need to be addressed, including the abatement of asbestos used in the building's original construction. The need for renovations goes beyond just creating a 21st Century learning environment. In addition to educating 340 students, the school is a resource for residents throughout the north and east sides of Binghamton where many families have limited access to important services.