The December 8 vote is now official. The board adopted a bond resolution that sets a special district meeting on Tuesday, December 8, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with two questions on a paper ballot. The resolution needed support from at least three-fifths of the board, and it passed on a roll call with no one voting no. This is the formal action behind the date the district announced in its September 24 letter. Proposition 1 asks voters to approve demolishing the former Staley Elementary School and building an addition at Clough, at a cost of up to $23,151,555. Proposition 2 asks voters to approve replacing the RFA Stadium grandstand, at a cost of up to $7,951,375, and it only takes effect if Proposition 1 passes.

How each question would be paid for. For Proposition 1, the resolution uses up to $1,871,380 from the district's capital reserve and $1,644,000 in insurance money from Staley, and authorizes borrowing up to $19,636,175 for the rest. That borrowing figure is the same as the FEMA and state emergency management money the district expects to be reimbursed. For Proposition 2, the resolution uses up to $4,428,620 from the capital reserve and authorizes borrowing up to $3,522,755. The stadium work is not covered by FEMA. Like all school bonds, both are legally backed by property taxes, but the superintendent told the board the plan was built so there is no additional tax impact, using FEMA money, insurance money, the reserve, state building aid and other financing. In August, the business office estimated the district would need to borrow about $2 million beyond its reserves. The amounts in the resolution are maximums, and the district can borrow less.

What would be built. The board also approved the environmental review the project needs before a vote. It describes an addition of about 16,000 square feet at Clough, with a multipurpose space that works as a gym, cafeteria and auditorium, plus a kitchen, locker rooms, offices, storage, a new lobby and entrance, and a loading dock. About 6,000 square feet inside the existing building would be renovated, including a new library, a new STEAM lab and a counseling suite, details the district's September letter did not include. At Staley, the building and nearby paved areas would be removed and the land reseeded with grass. At the stadium, the grandstand and concession stand would be torn down and replaced with new bleachers, a press box and a concession and restroom building. The review found no significant environmental impact, with small effects on flooding, surface water and historic or archaeological resources to be handled during construction.

Board members asked what happens to Staley's land. Asked whether there is a long-term plan for the site, the superintendent said grass is the only plan for now, and that the district has applied for additional grant money that could pay for a second phase. Another member asked whether archaeological findings still limit how deep the demolition can go. The superintendent said the building will definitely be demolished and that the project's architects and engineers will answer technical questions at the first information session. Asked about the stadium site work, she said the bleachers would be rebuilt to their existing capacity and that more detail would be in a frequently asked questions document due out the next day.

A resident demanded to know why Staley is still standing. Dennis Perfetti opened public comment by pointing to the FEMA letter that has been shared widely online, saying it shows the district has had the money to tear Staley down. He described break-ins and vandalism at the site, warned that a firefighter or police officer could be hurt inside, and asked which board member would explain that to a first responder's family. He told the board residents do not trust it with their money, suggested the district should have bought the former Roman Catholic Academy building instead of leasing it, and called for a forensic audit.

The superintendent answered the FEMA letter. Superintendent Nerlande Anselme said the roughly $19 million is reimbursement, not cash, so the district must borrow, spend, and document the work before it gets paid back. She said the district works mainly through the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and that the agency told the district from the start, in emails she has shared with the board, that it could not use any of the money until FEMA approved the Clough project, even though demolishing Staley was still required to get reimbursed. She called the circulating letter unsigned and said it lacked backing from the state side. She said that after the letter began circulating she called the state agency, which told her the statement she posted was accurate and endorsed it. She repeated that the reimbursement deadline is October 2029. The FEMA letter, dated September 14 and addressed to Mayor Jeffery Lanigan, gives a different date: it says the project's period of performance ends October 8, 2027, with no guarantee of an extension.

A question about Staley on last year's books went unanswered. A board member said last year's audit showed Staley written off for $2.5 million from its assets held for sale, and asked for an explanation. The superintendent said she could not answer because Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Georgia Gonzalez was not at the meeting, and said the answer would be sent by email and shared publicly at a future meeting. The finance committee meets Thursday, October 8, at 4:30 p.m.

The high school's interim principal will stay through June. The board confirmed Kristie Boisen as interim principal of Rome Free Academy through June 30, 2027. Her extra pay of $79.13 a day ended October 5, and starting October 6 she moves to an annual salary of $130,000 plus benefits, prorated. On September 8, the district said it hoped to bring a recommendation for a permanent principal by the end of September.

Other leadership moves. Alyssa Zito, a dean of students, was appointed assistant principal at Strough at $95,000, filling the opening the district listed in September. The consent agenda also appointed Ashley Rose as dean of students at Bellamy at $75,000, starting November 2. Asked about the dean positions, the superintendent said they are paid for by grants that come with being one of the schools the state has identified for improvement, and that they would likely go away when the grant ends.

Test results are up in several grades, but overall proficiency is still low. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer DePerno presented preliminary state test results, cautioning that the data is still under embargo and could change slightly. She said the district is starting from about 25% proficiency in English, 26% in math and 28% in science. She said the state made the tests harder this year, that many districts saw English scores fall several points, and that Rome's fell by about 1 point while math held steady. The district highlighted an 11% increase in sixth grade English, increases of 5% and 6% in third and fourth grade math, a 10% gain for the class that moved from seventh to eighth grade in English, an 11% increase in science at Bellamy, and a 33% increase in third grade math at Ridge Mills. At RFA, 86% passed the English Regents, with 220 students scoring 90 or higher; 95% passed Algebra II; U.S. History rose 15% to 78%; and Biology rose from 47% to 53%. She said participation in state tests is now above 95%. Fifth grade was the one level not showing gains, so it is now taught by subject, the way sixth grade already is. Every school except RFA and Ridge Mills is currently identified by the state for improvement. A final report is expected in the middle of the year.

The code of conduct was approved, and the Stokes gym will be renamed. Following a 5:15 p.m. public hearing on both items, the board approved the 2026-27 code of conduct without discussion. It also voted by roll call to name the Stokes Elementary School gymnasium in memory of the former student whose supporters petitioned the board in August. The new name takes effect July 1, 2027.

A new committee for building needs. The board created a Facilities Improvement Committee to review the district's long-range building needs, set priorities and recommend future projects, working with administrators and outside experts such as architects and engineers. Board members Rocky Capponi and Suzanne Carvelli volunteered to serve, and their appointments are expected at the next meeting.

Students learning English were recognized. The board honored 14 students who reached the highest level on the state's English language proficiency test, meaning they no longer need language support to do grade-level work. The district's program has grown from about 50 students in 2020 to more than 100, with nine teachers. The superintendent told the students she arrived in the United States at 13 without speaking English.

How to vote on December 8. Information sessions are October 14 at 6 p.m. at Connected Community Schools and November 17 at 6 p.m. in the RFA small auditorium. Voting is by paper ballot from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. You must be registered in person. The Board of Registration meets November 23 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 266-268 W. Dominick St. Applications for absentee or early voting ballots are available from the district clerk and must be received by 4 p.m. on December 1 if the ballot is to be mailed, or by 4 p.m. on December 7 if you pick it up in person. Military ballot applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 12; contact the district clerk at 315-338-6521. Polling places are Clough ECP, 409 Bell Rd. S. (Wards 1 and 2); the district office, 266-268 W. Dominick St. (Ward 3); Gansevoort School, 758 W. Liberty St. (Ward 4); Strough Middle School, 801 Laurel St. (Ward 5); St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1807 Bedford St. (Ward 6); Copper City Community Connection, 305 E. Locust St. (Ward 7); Stokes School, 9095 Turin Rd. (Wards 8 and 9); and Westernville Library, 9172 Main St. (Ward 10).

Other reports. The superintendent said the district remains part of the national lawsuit against social media companies over harm to students, and will share in any settlement, with no action needed for now. About 400 Rome students attend BOCES career programs, and BOCES holds a fall open house October 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at its Verona campus. Board member Kirstin Safin said staff working the high school screening line have seen a more positive start to the morning, and reported that RFA football beat Proctor for the first time in nearly 14 years. The Wellness Council raised the need for a quick way for staff to look up student allergies, which the district said it is already working on. Board member Suzanne Carvelli read a letter from a BOCES administrator praising the superintendent's keynote speech to about 650 school leaders at a statewide conference. The student board member announced a community tailgate on October 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. before the senior night football game, and the fifth annual Haunted Hallways at RFA on October 24 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Routine business. The board approved a contract with Diana T. Durso, LCSW-R, to provide clinical supervision for up to nine district social workers working toward their clinical license, at $60 an hour and no more than $11,520 for the year. It approved an RFA music trip to the state All-State festival in Rochester from December 3 to 6, with the district paying mileage, lodging and registration; an affiliation agreement with Grand Canyon University; and a combined girls varsity ice hockey team with Clinton. The consent agenda included six resignations and the hiring of several office specialists. The policy committee meets October 14 at 4:45 p.m. at 266 W. Dominick St., the state school boards convention is October 22 in Buffalo, and the board's meet and greet with administrators is October 28 at 5:30 p.m. at RFA. The meeting ended in executive session on a matter covered by attorney-client privilege, and the board did not return.