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Rome City board approves placing $165.6 million 2026–27 budget and bus proposition on May ballot
Summary
The Rome City School District board approved a resolution to put the proposed $165,561,086 2026–27 budget and a bus-purchase proposition (two 66‑passenger diesel buses) before voters on May 19; the administration recommended a 2.89% tax levy and held three upcoming budget forums.
The Rome City School District Board of Education approved a resolution to place its proposed $165,561,086 2026–27 general fund appropriation and related ballot propositions before voters on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Superintendent said the recommended budget represents a 3.13% increase over the previous year and reflected a modest rise in foundation aid and higher operating costs. "The recommended budget in front of the board tonight is $165,561,086," the superintendent said during the budget workshop, adding the administration was proposing a 2.89% tax levy.
Why this matters: the board’s action starts the local voter review process and sets parameters for district revenue and expenditures for the coming year. The administration presented household cost examples to illustrate the levy impact — for a home assessed at $100,000 the levy change equated to approximately $1.24 annually under the 2.89% proposal.
Key details: the budget presentation outlined revenue projections and expense drivers, noting roughly 80–81% of the three-part budget funds instructional programs. Spending categories highlighted by administration included staffing additions (a workforce liaison position, recruitment initiatives, an AIS math teacher, a biology teacher, a social worker at Ridge in place of a counselor, and an additional teacher assistant), technology and instructional supplies, ongoing capital/facilities maintenance, and a multiyear replacement plan for student chairs and desks. On the capital side, the administration proposed two additional security staff, targeted door hardening and shade upgrades, gym wall padding replacement at Bellamy, septic repair at Stokes, repairs to the roadway behind Rome Free Academy (RFA), a replacement utility van acquired via bidding, and completion of digital signage projects across buildings.
Ballot propositions: the resolution placed two items before voters: (1) authorization to expend the $165,561,086 general fund appropriation and levy the necessary taxes, and (2) a bus purchase proposition for two 66‑passenger diesel buses (the ballot language lists $420,000 as the authorization amount; administration said the expected cost is closer to $400,000 and that roughly 90% of the purchase is anticipated to be covered by state aid).
Public outreach and next steps: the district scheduled three budget forums (April 27–29) and a formal budget hearing on May 11, and the board noted residents can review the district’s property tax report card that was attached to the budget resolution. The board will present the propositions to voters on May 19.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the budget resolution and motion to place the propositions on the ballot on motions moved and seconded in open session; members voted in favor and the chair declared the motions carried. Specific vote tallies by individual member were not recorded in the transcript.
