Rome is Home: Progress in Action
The Rome City School District (CSD) continues its Rome is Home: Progress in Action series by highlighting recent initiatives under Pillar 3 of its Strategic Plan, Empower Success Through Access and Support, and the progress we are making together to strengthen the district.
Expanding our Reach
Through strategic recruitment, we aim to build a skilled and diverse workforce throughout the district. To attract high-quality talent, we participate in career fairs across the state, recently expanding our attendance to include Cortland, Utica, and Oswego.
The HR team also takes part in the Spring Career Fair at Rome Free Academy, encouraging upcoming alumni to consider working for their alma mater and deepen their roots in the community.
Dr. Shaun Carney, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Strategic Initiatives, shares that these initiatives help the district's efforts to foster an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.
"Our employees are at the core of what makes the Rome City School District truly exceptional,” Carney said. “Their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence play a crucial role in strengthening our schools each and every day. It is why we continue to invest in our people and foster a culture of growth, empowering our employees to reach their fullest potential. Together, we are actively shaping and building a brighter future for our entire community."
Growing our Team
During the 2025–2026 school year, we established a partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) through its Fast Track program, which provides free career training from industry experts and connects students with potential employers, including Rome CSD. Current employees have also participated in the program.
Staff from our Human Resources department have attended program classes to speak to students, highlighting the benefits of working in the Rome district and emphasizing our belief that “Rome is Home.”
Upon completing the program, students are guaranteed an interview with the district, and some have even accepted job offers as a result.
In addition to external recruitment initiatives, the department has also started hosting monthly interviews for substitute positions. To streamline the hiring process, Human Resources publishes a monthly calendar, allowing candidates to select a specific day and time to interview. It is essential that our schools are properly staffed to avoid disruptions in learning and ensure that our students stay on track in the classroom.
Investing in our Staff
We continue to support the professional development of our employees. In the past year, members of the Human Resources team completed Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification.
This certification provides individuals with the opportunity to build upon specific skills in Human Resources, including:
Communication & Consultation
Ethical practices
Leadership and navigation
Relationship management
Our Human Resources team has also attended numerous professional development conferences, providing staff with the opportunity to learn from other experts in the field, discover new talent retention strategies, and build valuable partnerships—all to better serve our school community.
Utilizing these insights, HR has also helped employees throughout the district obtain certifications that boost their careers. We assist district employees going for certifications in other areas, enabling them to stay in the district.
Looking Ahead
We remain focused on our mission to create an environment where every employee can thrive and contribute to the success of our students. Rome CSD is not only a place where individuals find meaningful careers but also where our students receive the highest quality education.
Together, we are building a brighter future for our community.
Learn more about our "Progress in Action" here: https://www.romecsd.org/page/rcsd-progress-in-action