History of the Rochester Schools Modernization Program (RSMP)
The Rochester City School District (RCSD) has long recognized the critical connection between learning environments and student achievement. For several decades, the District has maintained a steady commitment to preserving its facilities. However, due to state-imposed limitations on the City of Rochester’s bonding capacity and a growing backlog of deferred maintenance, the District faced significant challenges in modernizing its school infrastructure to meet contemporary educational standards.
The RCSD operates 46 school buildings currently, including 30 elementary 14 secondary campuses, one (1) Montessori school, one (1) adult/family learning center, and several alternative education programs . Nearly half of these buildings are more than 75 years old. While none present unsafe conditions, the age, layout, and systems in many buildings no longer align with 21st-century instructional needs. The district must not only maintain these facilities serving approximately 22,900 students with approximately 5,436 employees; but also support programmatic priorities such as smaller class sizes, Pre-Kindergarten availability, expanded Special Education spaces, Career and Technical Education labs, and dedicated areas for student health and support services.
To address these challenges, the Rochester Schools Modernization Program (RSMP) was created by special New York State legislation in 2007. This legislation allowed for the use of alternative financing mechanisms and established the Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board (RJSCB) to oversee all RSMP projects as the designated agent of the City and the RCSD. The RSMP represents the largest public works initiative in Rochester’s history, spanning multiple phases over two decades and involving an estimated total investment of $1.7 billion.
The RCSD operates 46 school buildings currently, including 30 elementary 14 secondary campuses, one (1) Montessori school, one (1) adult/family learning center, and several alternative education programs . Nearly half of these buildings are more than 75 years old. While none present unsafe conditions, the age, layout, and systems in many buildings no longer align with 21st-century instructional needs. The district must not only maintain these facilities serving approximately 22,900 students with approximately 5,436 employees; but also support programmatic priorities such as smaller class sizes, Pre-Kindergarten availability, expanded Special Education spaces, Career and Technical Education labs, and dedicated areas for student health and support services.
To address these challenges, the Rochester Schools Modernization Program (RSMP) was created by special New York State legislation in 2007. This legislation allowed for the use of alternative financing mechanisms and established the Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board (RJSCB) to oversee all RSMP projects as the designated agent of the City and the RCSD. The RSMP represents the largest public works initiative in Rochester’s history, spanning multiple phases over two decades and involving an estimated total investment of $1.7 billion.
Phase I: Planning and Foundation (2008–2016)
Following the formation of the RJSCB in 2008, a Program Management team composed of Gilbane Building Company and Savin Engineers, P.C. was selected by the RJSCB as required by the Phase I Statute. In collaboration with SWBR Architects, the RJSCB and the Program Management team developed a comprehensive Master Plan, which identified 12 schools selected by the Superintendent of Schools in consultation with the Board of Education, and a District-Wide Technology initiative. The Phase I Master Plan was approved by the RCSD Board of Education and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in 2011.
Phase I was authorized for $325 million ($239 million in “hard” construction costs and $86 million in “soft” costs to pay for the design, program management, insurance, specialty consultants, general administration, and financing costs. In 2011, COMIDA (the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency) was selected as the bond issuer, with project funding reimbursed primarily through State Building Aid.
Construction began in summer 2012 with the first projects including School 17, School 50, Charlotte High School, and Franklin High School. Additional schools such as East High School, Edison Tech, and John Williams School 5 followed. The Master Plan was flexible, enabling the District to add air-conditioning, renovate the Franklin auditorium, and build a synthetic turf field at East High School.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) negotiated in 2012 supported both cost savings and the RJSCB’s diversity goals. By the close of Phase I, all projects were completed on time and within budget, resulting in substantial improvements to instructional environments and surrounding communities. Notably, over $83 million in contracts were awarded to minority, women, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises (EBEs), and over 550,000 hours were worked by a diverse labor force, exceeding the participation goals slated in the approved Diversity Plan.
Phase I was authorized for $325 million ($239 million in “hard” construction costs and $86 million in “soft” costs to pay for the design, program management, insurance, specialty consultants, general administration, and financing costs. In 2011, COMIDA (the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency) was selected as the bond issuer, with project funding reimbursed primarily through State Building Aid.
Construction began in summer 2012 with the first projects including School 17, School 50, Charlotte High School, and Franklin High School. Additional schools such as East High School, Edison Tech, and John Williams School 5 followed. The Master Plan was flexible, enabling the District to add air-conditioning, renovate the Franklin auditorium, and build a synthetic turf field at East High School.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) negotiated in 2012 supported both cost savings and the RJSCB’s diversity goals. By the close of Phase I, all projects were completed on time and within budget, resulting in substantial improvements to instructional environments and surrounding communities. Notably, over $83 million in contracts were awarded to minority, women, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises (EBEs), and over 550,000 hours were worked by a diverse labor force, exceeding the participation goals slated in the approved Diversity Plan.
Phase II: Expansion and Inclusion (2014–2023)
In 2014, legislation for Phase II was enacted, authorizing up to 26 school projects including a second District-Wide Technology upgrade. This phase carried a total authorized budget of $435 million, with approximately $297 million allocated for hard construction costs and $138 million for soft costs.
In 2015, Savin Engineers, P.C.—a New York State certified MBE and prior partner on Phase I—was selected as the lead Program Manager, with Gilbane Building Company as a supporting partner. Savin brought both deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to community inclusion, launching a signature initiative known as the Business Opportunity Program (BOP). Designed to build long-term capacity for local minority- and women-owned firms, the BOP provided a no-cost instructional series, mentorship, and an interest-free loan fund administered by REDCO. Over 111 local EBEs graduated from the program, many of whom secured roles on RSMP projects.
Phase II was implemented across multiple sub-phases (2A–2D) and included extensive upgrades to buildings such as Monroe High School, Grissom School 7, Spencer School 16, the Dr. Freddie Thomas Learning Center, and School Without Walls. Several projects required temporary student relocations to swing spaces and continued even through the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed occupancy for some completed buildings. Additional work scope was approved post-occupancy at School 4, School 54, the Edison Campus and East High to address aging systems and life cycle needs. Residential properties were acquired to provide play areas and green space.
By the conclusion of Phase II, the RSMP had exceeded diversity goals, awarding over $141 million to EBEs and achieving over 33% workforce diversity, solidifying its reputation as a model for equitable public construction.
In 2015, Savin Engineers, P.C.—a New York State certified MBE and prior partner on Phase I—was selected as the lead Program Manager, with Gilbane Building Company as a supporting partner. Savin brought both deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to community inclusion, launching a signature initiative known as the Business Opportunity Program (BOP). Designed to build long-term capacity for local minority- and women-owned firms, the BOP provided a no-cost instructional series, mentorship, and an interest-free loan fund administered by REDCO. Over 111 local EBEs graduated from the program, many of whom secured roles on RSMP projects.
Phase II was implemented across multiple sub-phases (2A–2D) and included extensive upgrades to buildings such as Monroe High School, Grissom School 7, Spencer School 16, the Dr. Freddie Thomas Learning Center, and School Without Walls. Several projects required temporary student relocations to swing spaces and continued even through the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed occupancy for some completed buildings. Additional work scope was approved post-occupancy at School 4, School 54, the Edison Campus and East High to address aging systems and life cycle needs. Residential properties were acquired to provide play areas and green space.
By the conclusion of Phase II, the RSMP had exceeded diversity goals, awarding over $141 million to EBEs and achieving over 33% workforce diversity, solidifying its reputation as a model for equitable public construction.
Phase III: Renewal and Vision (2021–2031)
In November 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the RSMP Phase III legislation (Chapter 614 of the Laws of 2021), authorizing $475 million for the continued modernization of RCSD facilities. The plan includes reconstruction of six schools, with a focus on academic alignment, demographic trends, and facility condition.
Savin Engineers continues as Program Manager for Phase III, managing planning, design submissions to NYSED, stakeholder engagement, and fiscal oversight. A new Strategic Plan was developed in 2023 in coordination with RCSD leadership with adequate public input. The Plan includes four volumes covering academic planning, financial modeling, diversity strategy, and technical documentation.
The Phase III Diversity Plan, developed with the Independent Compliance Officer (ICO), raises the bar again with 34% business utilization goals and 30% workforce participation targets. Building Advisory Committees (BACs) for each school provide community oversight and feedback throughout the design and construction process. All six projects are scheduled for completion in alignment with legislative requirements.
Due to rising construction costs and new administrative requirements that will impact the outcomes of the Phase III Plan, the New York State Senate is considering a Legislative Bill (S7157) to bring the Phase III project costs to $600M and extend the completion date for all six (6) projects to Year 2033.
The RSMP continues to deliver far-reaching impacts: revitalized educational facilities, expanded business and workforce opportunities, and a blueprint for how large-scale school modernization can drive economic development and equity.
Savin Engineers continues as Program Manager for Phase III, managing planning, design submissions to NYSED, stakeholder engagement, and fiscal oversight. A new Strategic Plan was developed in 2023 in coordination with RCSD leadership with adequate public input. The Plan includes four volumes covering academic planning, financial modeling, diversity strategy, and technical documentation.
The Phase III Diversity Plan, developed with the Independent Compliance Officer (ICO), raises the bar again with 34% business utilization goals and 30% workforce participation targets. Building Advisory Committees (BACs) for each school provide community oversight and feedback throughout the design and construction process. All six projects are scheduled for completion in alignment with legislative requirements.
Due to rising construction costs and new administrative requirements that will impact the outcomes of the Phase III Plan, the New York State Senate is considering a Legislative Bill (S7157) to bring the Phase III project costs to $600M and extend the completion date for all six (6) projects to Year 2033.
The RSMP continues to deliver far-reaching impacts: revitalized educational facilities, expanded business and workforce opportunities, and a blueprint for how large-scale school modernization can drive economic development and equity.