Rome City School District weighs three sites for a new elementary school; Clough emerges as architect’s preliminary favorite

The Rome City School District on Jan. 13 reviewed three conceptual options to address persistent elementary-school overcrowding and presented preliminary cost estimates, aid assumptions and a path to a possible referendum in May 2026.

Superintendent Anselm told the board the recommendations stem from a long-range fiscal plan to solve space constraints and expand access to prekindergarten and special-area rooms districtwide. “The recommendations … were charged to create stability and sustainability,” she said, framing the options around educational soundness, fiscal responsibility and access for all.

Consultants from LaBella and the construction manager presented schematic-level numbers for three sites. The Clough renovation was modeled at about $73 million, the stadium-support option at about $74 million, and the Rome Catholic School option — initially estimated at roughly $59 million — rose to an updated estimate of about $84 million after more detailed schematic work. All three concepts were sized to hold roughly 1,175 students, which the district said would allow it to accommodate roughly 800 students displaced after the Staley closure and provide room for modest growth.

Consultant Craig Gailey said the higher cost for Rome Catholic reflects major mechanical, accessibility and structural work the building would require. “If you buy RCS, you still have life-safety and accessibility issues that have to be addressed,” he said, describing RCS as “basically a total gut” in which much of the interior would need replacement.

The consultants described the trade-offs among sites: Clough already has voter-approved construction dollars on site and is owned by the district, which reduces purchase complications but raises challenges for parking and bus loops at its existing parcel. The stadium-support site offers a clean slate for new classroom wings but presents logistical challenges with adjacent athletic facilities and neighborhood circulation. Buying and renovating Rome Catholic could provide more acreage but would require a public vote to purchase and add major renovation costs.

Board members pressed for more detail on aidability and sequence. Staff said the district expects a preliminary submission to the State Education Department (SED), which will review aid eligibility and help define what portion of construction costs the state would cover. The presenters estimated a preliminary SED review and submission process could take roughly a year; staff and consultants recommended the board aim for a May 2026 referendum if the board selects a preferred site and configuration.

Public commenters urged the board to move quickly on options that preserve capacity and access. “That building at RCS has a stage, has a gymnasium, has a music room,” said public commenter Sarah Langton, urging the district to pursue purchase while the building was reportedly under contract. Other residents raised safety and traffic concerns, particularly about parent drop-off and emergency egress at Clough and the stadium-support site.

Board members and consultants repeatedly emphasized the conceptual nature of the numbers and said costs will be refined as the design progresses. The next steps requested of the board are to select a preferred site and grade configuration so staff and the design/construction team can prepare the SED preliminary submission, a detailed financial model and stakeholder studies (traffic, SEQR/environmental review, and accessibility) before any referendum is scheduled.

The board did not vote to select a site at the Jan. 13 meeting and left those decisions for upcoming meetings; staff indicated additional discussions and data will be brought to a February board meeting before a formal choice is placed for a vote or referendum planning.