Rome City School District budget team recommends using full 2.89% tax cap to fund CTE, safety and staff needs

The Rome City School District on March 2 presented a budget plan that would use the full 2.89% tax cap to preserve programs and add staff aimed at expanding career and technical education and business partnerships.

Presenter (budget development) told the board the 2.89% cap — higher than the 2.75% figure the district had previously modeled — would allow the district to "preserve and enhance all of our student programs and our district operations." The presenter said the increase would translate to roughly $48 annually for a homeowner with a $100,000 house and about $144 for a $300,000 house, subject to equalization and assessment variables.

Why it matters: district leaders said rising fixed costs are driving the recommendation. The presenter outlined budget pressures including an average 4% increase across nine bargaining-unit contracts, an approximately 10% projected rise in health insurance, a significant anticipated jump in liability-insurance costs (budgeted conservatively in the presentation), and higher employer retirement contributions (TRS and ERS). The presentation included a number of proposed investments intended to address both near-term needs and longer-term workforce alignment.

Planned additions and uses: the budget presentation proposed creating a workforce‑liaison/CTE coordinator to strengthen partnerships with Mohawk Valley Community College and BOCES, develop internships and mentorships, and expand local CTE offerings such as welding and electrical programs at the MVCC Rome campus. The presentation also proposed targeted hires in math and science, a social worker and a teacher assistant at specific buildings, door-hardening and badge-reader upgrades paid in part from NYSAFE funds (the presenter proposed dedicating $35,000 this year with a recurring $35,000 commitment), replacement of aging equipment and vehicles, and two 66‑passenger diesel buses to replace the oldest vehicles while the district plans for eventual electrification.

Board reaction and next steps: trustees asked questions about the size of the tax increase and alternatives to the maximum levy. Presenter (budget development) said the difference between the lower model and the 2.89% cap would be a few dollars on typical residential bills, and pledged to provide alternate levy scenarios at the next meeting. The district plans to review details at the finance committee meeting and return to the board with a final revenue and appropriation budget on March 16; if the board approves, the district would adopt a levy (the presenter said they would seek to move forward with a 2.89% levy on April 1).