Rome is Home: Progress in Action
A continuing series highlighting measurable accomplishments, strategic initiatives, and the progress we are making together to strengthen the Rome City School District.
Safe Schools. Strong Communities.
Pillar Two: Nurturing Safe and Inclusive Communities for Learning
Every student deserves to learn in a school where they feel safe, supported, and ready to succeed.
At the Rome City School District, safety is about much more than responding to emergencies. It means preventing problems before they happen, building strong partnerships, and creating welcoming schools where students and staff can thrive.
Guided by Pillar Two: Nurturing Safe and Inclusive Communities for Learning of our Strategic Plan, we continue to strengthen our systems, expand partnerships, and invest in people to ensure every school remains a safe place to learn and work.
During the 2025–2026 school year, we made meaningful progress in strengthening school safety across our district.
"School safety is about creating an environment where every student and staff member feels protected, supported, and prepared to succeed. That requires planning, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Every partnership we build and every system we strengthen helps us better serve our school community."— James Sojda, Director of District and School Safety
Strengthening Our Safety Teams
Keeping schools safe is a shared responsibility.
This year, we expanded our District-Wide Safety Committee to include local agencies and community partners who help review safety practices, identify emerging concerns, and strengthen emergency planning across the district.
Each of our nine schools also established a Building-Level Safety Team. These teams are prepared to respond effectively through ongoing training in emergency procedures, communication, and incident reporting.
To strengthen prevention efforts, the district also established a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT). This multidisciplinary team brings together trained professionals to review concerns, identify appropriate supports, and help address situations before they become larger problems.
When additional support is needed, the district works closely with the Oneida County Threat Assessment Management Team (OCTAM), partnering with law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community agencies to provide coordinated support and intervention.
Improving School Safety
Throughout the year, our Director of School and District Safety partnered with safety specialists and local emergency management agencies to review every school building.
These reviews focused on:
Building security
Visitor access
Emergency communication
Emergency response procedures
The district also completed comprehensive Fire Safety Audits in every school building, as required by New York State.
Whenever improvements were identified, building teams developed action plans to address them promptly, helping ensure our schools remain safe, secure, and prepared.
Supporting Students and Staff Through Difficult Times
School safety also means caring for people.
During the 2025–2026 school year, the district established a network of trained staff members using the Trauma, Illness, and Grief (TIG) model. Together, these professionals provide coordinated support whenever our school community experiences a significant event involving trauma, serious illness, or loss.
This districtwide approach helps ensure students, families, and staff receive timely support, compassionate care, clear communication, and access to appropriate resources during difficult times.
Preventing Problems Before They Happen
The strongest school safety strategies begin long before an emergency occurs.
Throughout the year, staff worked closely with school administrators to identify students who may need additional support, improve attendance, encourage positive behavior, and connect families with community resources.
Staff also participated in ongoing professional learning designed to strengthen prevention efforts, improve awareness, and reinforce everyone's role in creating safe and supportive schools.
Progress at a Glance
2025–2026 Highlights
Expanded the District-Wide Safety Committee with community partners
Established Building-Level Safety Teams in all 9 schools
Created the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT)
Strengthened partnerships with the Oneida County Threat Assessment Management Team (OCTAM)
Completed comprehensive safety reviews and Fire Safety Audits throughout the district
Established districtwide Trauma, Illness, and Grief (TIG) response teams
Expanded staff learning focused on prevention, preparedness, and student support
Why It Matters
Every improvement we make helps create schools where students can focus on learning, staff can focus on teaching, and families can feel confident knowing that safety remains at the heart of every decision we make.
Safe schools strengthen student learning, support staff success, and build confidence throughout our community.
Progress in Action
School safety is strengthened through preparation, partnership, and continuous improvement.
The progress made during the 2025–2026 school year reflects the dedication of our Board of Education, students, staff, families, first responders, and community partners who work together every day to support safe and welcoming schools.
As we continue implementing our Strategic Plan, we remain committed to strengthening our safety practices, supporting the well-being of every member of our school community, and fostering environments where every student feels safe, valued, connected, and ready to learn.
Rome is Home: Progress in Action
Celebrating measurable progress. Strengthening our schools. Inspiring confidence in our community.