Rome City School District

The meeting involved adjournment to Executive Session for a student discipline appeal and later for personnel-related matters, with return to Regular Session. Department reports covered the Alternative Education Program and the MVCC "Gear Up" Program. People Operations discussed minimum wage compliance affecting substitute salaries, advisor club percentages, and the resolution to abolish previously vacant positions. The Superintendent's Report highlighted student accomplishments, fall sports updates, school visit summaries, and adjustments to Department of Health Covid-19 contact tracing protocols. Public comments addressed communication processes and teacher concerns regarding class combinations. The Work Study Session reviewed the 2019-2020 Internal Audit Report focusing on Cash Receipts. The Consent Agenda included the approval of personnel changes such as leaves of absence and the appointment of substitutes, initial placements for students with disabilities, fund transfers within the General Fund, and the declaration of obsolete equipment for disposal. Regular Agenda items included discussions on debt service update, funding grants, State Aid, the Transportation RFP, and the potential establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee for Covid-19 indicators. Action items for People Operations involved approving probationary and provisional non-instructional staff appointments, abolishing several positions (e.g., PC Specialist, Float Nurse), and appointing numerous club advisors for the 2020-2021 school year. Staff transfers and instructional appointments were also approved. Miscellaneous Business included approving the annual membership to the New York State School Board Association and approving a memorandum of understanding concerning the RCSD Equity Task Force. A resolution was passed upholding a student disciplinary finding while requiring the Superintendent to reassess the student's educational setting needs.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included an anticipated executive session for personnel matters and a work study session focused on the ESSER Plan Discussion. The Board considered a resolution to commend multiple Rome Free Academy athletic teams for receiving the Scholar/Athlete Team Award. Actions were taken regarding contract awards for Fire Alarm Services and Internal Claims Auditing, as well as the Strough Middle School-Water Main Replacement Plumbing Construction Project. The People Operations section addressed various personnel changes, including approvals for leaves of absence, resignations, appointment of substitutes, acceptance of retirements, appointment of summer school personnel, approval of the CSEA Unit 5763-01 Contract and the Rome Teacher's Association agreement, and the granting of tenure to several staff members. Finance actions included declaring equipment obsolete and approving fund transfers within the General Fund. Additionally, an extension to the Real Estate purchase contract for the former Fort Stanwix School was authorized. The Board also approved the appointment of a student representative for the 2021-2022 school year and scheduled discussions regarding the Reorganization meeting date and 2021-2022 meeting schedule.

The meeting agenda covered department reports from Educational Programs and People Operations. Key items under the Consent Agenda involved approving personnel changes, including probationary instructional staff appointments, leaves of absence, and resignations, as well as approving initial placements and reviews for students with disabilities. Finance actions included establishing an Audit Committee for the 2020-2021 school year and declaring obsolete computer equipment for disposal. Action items during the regular session included approving the 2020-2023 Professional Learning Plan, recalling individuals from the Preferred Eligibility List, approving a Memorandum of Agreement for a one-year extension of the Rome Administrators Association collective bargaining agreement, and appointing an administrator. Miscellaneous business involved adopting the 2020-2021 District-Wide Safety Plan and appointing a Safety Committee. Old business addressed the approval of the SEIU Contract with specific wage modifications and reservation of rights for re-negotiation.

This Instructional Technology Plan for the Rome City School District aims to foster a future-ready school community by equipping students, educators, and staff with innovative, reliable, and equitable technology solutions to enhance learning, academic excellence, and operational efficiency. Key strategic goals include transitioning instructional staff to Google Drive for Desktop by June 2028 to ensure accessible and secure digital resources, piloting interactive screens at the middle school by summer 2028 to support engaging instruction, and certifying Google Gemini Certified Educators by summer 2029 to integrate artificial intelligence effectively into teaching practices.

The Rome City School District's 2020-21 District Comprehensive Improvement Plan outlines six key priorities to enhance student outcomes. These priorities include increasing ELA and mathematics proficiency levels by 5%, improving student achievement through targeted instructional practices and walkthroughs, fostering disciplinary literacy skills across all content areas, and boosting student engagement and ownership of learning. Additionally, the plan aims to reduce chronic absenteeism and strengthen reciprocal communication between home and school, adapting to challenges posed by virtual and in-person instruction.