Senator Webb & Assemblymember Lupardo Pass Legislation to Save Binghamton’s Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School

(BINGHAMTON, NY) On Wednesday, Senator Lea Webb passed legislation (S2672A) in the New York Senate to authorize the Binghamton City School District to access two times their multi-year cost allowance in a five-year period for the computation of Building Aid for a construction project to improve Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. Assemblymember Donna Lupardo passed the legislation (A2307A) through the Assembly on June 5. The legislation now awaits the Governor’s signature before becoming law. 

According to current law, New York’s Big 5 School Districts (Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, and Utica) are permitted to access two times their multi-year cost allowance for capital projects, while small city school districts like Binghamton are not afforded this allowance. For small school districts like Binghamton, this means that significantly needed repairs and renovations are spread over longer periods, leading to prolonged disruptions for students and increased financial strain for districts.

This legislation will directly impact and save Theodore Roosevelt Elementary in Binghamton, a school serving the most economically underserved section of Binghamton, and providing education and community to historically marginalized children and their families.  The community that is served by Roosevelt has been designated as a food and childcare desert, with limited access to public transportation and services. The poverty level of the district’s students has increased significantly over the past 20 years, reaching all-time high levels. Currently, 84% at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary on the northside are SNAP eligible. Additionally, this school was designated as a Failing School, due to the degree of asbestos used for fireproofing and insulation of 85% of the building. Additionally, current classroom sizes are under minimum standards for square footage recommended by New York State.

“I am proud of the work that Assemblymember Lupardo and I have done to support the Binghamton City School District’s efforts to preserve this school for the children of Binghamton and ensure that our small city school districts get the same level of support and access to resources as their peers in larger cities,” said Senator Lea Webb. “By passing this legislation, we have the opportunity to preserve this school for the children of Binghamton and their families and ensure that our small city school districts get the equitable support and access to resources as their peers in larger cities.” 

“The Binghamton City School District approached Senator Webb and I regarding the urgent need to renovate and modernize Theodore Roosevelt Elementary,” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. “This bill will give them the financial flexibility to make these improvements. I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Webb to pass this vitally important legislation that will directly impact students on the Northside.” 

“We extend our deepest appreciation to Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and State Senator Lea Webb who supported the passing of bills that will grant BCSD early access to funds needed to rebuild Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, said Brian Whalen, President of the Binghamton City School District Board of Education. “Both have advocated tirelessly for our lone north side community school and we are so grateful for their efforts. From Albany to Binghamton, we are so touched by the remarkable support for the rebuild of Roosevelt, and we look forward to Governor Hochul’s support in signing this bill and giving this underserved section of the city a 21st-century school.”

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