Rochester, N.Y. -- Some Rochester schools will undergo major renovations under the first phase of a $325 million project.
The Schools Modernization Project officially kicked off Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony at School #50 on Seneca Avenue.
School #50 is one of the schools that will get a makeover to make more room for programs such as music and arts.
Charlotte High School will get a cafeteria makeover as well as a health clinic so students don't have to travel to other facilities for health care. The school will also go wireless, providing internet access in every classroom.
Charlotte Principal Michael Allen said, "I think one of the things we always preach is a safe and healthy learning environment and in the past it hasn't been as safe and as healthy as we would have liked it to have been. This year with these renovations and these upgrades, students will feel safe; they're in a healthy environment."
Many of the schools in the district were built in the 1920s. Some still have wood framing.
In addition to School #50 and Charlotte, Phase One includes renovations to School #17, School #58 and Franklin High School.
The project is set to be complete in 2015.
