Development News for Rome, Georgia

Rome City School District Holds Revised Budget Hearing Amidst Public Concerns Over Taxes and Accountability

The Rome City School District held a revised budget hearing for the 2026-2027 school year. The original budget was voted down on May 19th, leading the board to revise it by cutting $173,000. These cuts included one director position (Director of Career Development and Fine Arts) and $16,000 in human resource initiatives. This reduction lowered the overall budget-to-budget change to just over $4.8 million, with $800,000 of that being the tax levy, representing a 2.5% change from the prior original budget. The administrative budget saw a decrease, while capital and programming remained the same. The district highlighted the importance of passing the revised budget to avoid a contingency budget, which would necessitate further cuts, including planned staff additions like an AIS math teacher, a biology teacher, a teacher assistant, and security personnel, as well as deferring roadway repairs and the lease for Rome Catholic School. Future budget challenges were noted, with projected deficits for the 2027-2028 school year due to limited state aid increases and tax levy caps. Public comments expressed concerns about tax burdens, especially for senior citizens, and the perceived lack of transparency and accountability from the board. The vote is scheduled for June 16th, with polls open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at various locations, including a new location at the District Office.