New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill that would have made an exception to the state's limits on school building aid for Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Binghamton.

The action complicates plans to fund the rebuilding of the school.

Binghamton City School District officials expressed extreme disappointment. The superintendent said the project remains a top priority, though access to the funding would have made the rebuild "quicker and more cost-effective."

The legislation would've allowed the district to access two-times their multi-year cost allowance within the state’s budget aid. This would allow them to access the maximum cost allowance, plus one additional cycle, resulting in $28,000,000 to rebuild and renovate Roosevelt Elementary over the next four years.

As one of Binghamton’s seven elementary schools, it was at one point one of four targeted for a closure. Built in the early 1970s, the aging building is only getting worse, with windows that don’t open and classrooms that don’t fit today’s standards.

To make matters worse, the building contains a significant amount of asbestos. While not exposed, or in any danger to students, it makes any future construction a challenge.

The governor's veto message said she is sensitive to the needs of the Binghamton community when it comes to those renovations, and would work with local stateholders on a plan to help through the state budget process.

The district said its capital committee will look at next steps.