The Rome City School District is thrilled to introduce several new administrators joining our dedicated team. These leaders bring a wealth of experience that will enhance our schools and support our mission to provide high-quality education for all students.
We are confident that their leadership will play a significant role in fostering a positive and innovative atmosphere within our schools. Let's take a moment to get to know our new administrative team!
Karen Peek - Denti Principal
Karen Peek has spent her career supporting children and families. Before entering education, Peek worked for over a decade as a caseworker with Oneida County. She became a special education teacher in 2011 and joined the Rome City School District in 2017. Most recently, Peek served as Denti’s Assistant Principal beginning in 2024 and will now serve the Denti community as Principal.
Q: What do you like about working in education?
A: I love having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Every day brings a new opportunity to help students grow, feel successful, and know that they belong
Q: What would you like to accomplish this school year?
A: I want to continue building a positive school culture where every student feels welcomed, supported, and connected while strengthening teaching and learning so all students can be successful.
Q: In a few words, what does "Rome is Home" mean to you?
A: To me, “Rome is Home” means having a strong sense of belonging, connection, and community where we take care of and support one another.
Allison Johnson - Assistant Principal at Rome Free Academy
Allison Johnson’s passion for learning was inspired by several educators who influenced the early stages of her career. After graduating from LeMoyne College with a Bachelor’s degree and SUNY Cortland with a Master’s degree, she transformed that passion into a lifelong journey in education.
Johnson has been an educator for more than 20 years, with the past eleven years in the Rome City School District. Throughout her career, she has worked as an elementary special education teacher, teacher mentor, and teacher coordinator. Recently, she decided to pursue her Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Administration, which prepared her for her new role as Assistant Principal at Rome Free Academy.
Q: What do you like about working in education?
A: I love the relationships! There is something incredibly rewarding about watching students grow, overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and become confident in themselves. Being a part of a team, I enjoy working alongside colleagues and continually finding ways to make a positive difference for students and families.
Q: What are you most looking forward to working at Rome CSD?
A: I am most looking forward to serving the Rome community in a new capacity. I am excited to join the RFA administrative team, build relationships with students, staff, and families, and contribute to the continued growth and success of our high school. It’s incredibly special to have been part of the beginning of students’ educational journeys, and now, at the high school, I look forward to supporting them as they reach graduation and enter the next chapter of their lives.
Q: Why Rome?
A: Rome is home. I have spent much of my career serving the students and families of this community, and I feel fortunate to continue that work. I believe deeply in our students, our schools, and the people who make up the Rome community, and I am proud to continue growing as an educator and leader here.
Meghan Longo - Assistant Principal at Denti Elementary
Rome native and RFA graduate, Meghan Longo brings ten years of experience as a school social worker to her new role in the Rome City School District.
“I am excited to bring my professional experiences, my love of working with students, and my educational leadership training into my new role as an assistant principal,” Longo shares. “Having grown up in Rome, working here, and now raising my own family here, I feel very connected to this community and am excited for this next chapter.”
Q: What would you like to accomplish this school year?
A: My biggest goal this year is to build strong relationships and get to know our students, families, and staff. As a new administrator, I want to listen and learn—understanding what is working well, where we have opportunities to grow, and how I can best support our school community.
Most importantly, I want students to feel known, valued, supported, and capable of success. If students know that the adults in their school believe in them and are in their corner, I think we are already doing something really important.
Q: Why Rome?
A: Honestly, Rome has always felt like home to me. I grew up here, graduated from RFA, began my career here, and am now raising my family here. I have had the opportunity to experience the community from many different perspectives, and each one has given me another reason to appreciate it.
I love this community, I believe in our students, and I am excited to continue growing professionally while giving back to the place that has been such a big part of my life.
Q: In a few words, what does “Rome is Home” mean to you?
A: Community, connection, and belonging. For me, Rome really is home.
Kristen Ball - Assistant Principal at Strough
Kristen Ball brings over a decade of experience in education spanning teaching, coaching, and school administration. She has worked as a physical education teacher, girls' athletic coordinator, and assistant principal. Notably, she spent two years in the Rome district at Strough Middle School during its capital project. Kristen holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and will begin her role as Assistant Principal at Strough this school year.
Q: What do you like about working in education?
A: What I love most is the daily opportunity to champion students and help them discover their potential, both inside the classroom and through athletics. Education is dynamic and deeply human; every day brings a chance to problem-solve, collaborate with dedicated educators, and watch young people grow into confident leaders.
Q: What would you like to accomplish this school year?
A: My primary goal this year is to foster strong, trusting relationships with students, staff, and families to ensure a smooth, positive transition and a supportive learning environment. I want to collaborate with our administrative team to build robust systems of support that elevate student achievement and school culture across the board.
Q: "In a few words, what does 'Rome is Home' mean to you?"
A: "Rome is Home" means a deep sense of belonging, shared history, and a community that feels like family. It’s about returning to the roots and the people who make this district such a special place to live, learn, and grow.
Michael Stalteri - Dean of Students at John Joy Elementary
Although Michael Stalteri retired as high school principal after 11 years at Frankfort Schuyler, he couldn’t stay away from education. Stalteri joins the Rome City School District as Dean of Students at John Joy Elementary School.
“Coming back to Rome truly feels like a homecoming,” shares Stalteri. Before taking on the role as principal at Frankfort Schuyler, he spent 13 years in the Rome City School District as an administrator at RFA, Staley, and Strough.
Q: What do you like about working in education?
A: After spending my entire 34-year career in education, I suppose the answer is pretty simple: I love kids, I love supporting teachers, and I love partnering with parents and families.
I truly cannot imagine having chosen another career. I have been incredibly blessed to do what I love for so many years.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about working at Rome CSD?
A: I am especially looking forward to reconnecting with many of my former students. Some of them are now the moms and dads of the students I will have the privilege of serving in my new role. I am also excited to reconnect with the many friends, colleagues, and mentors who have had such a deep and lasting impact on my life.
Q: What would you like to accomplish this school year?
A: I want to remain focused on the three values that have guided my entire career: we work for children.
I want to serve our students, support their teachers, and partner with their parents and families. If I can make a positive difference in each of those areas, then I will consider the school year a success.
Kristie Boisen - RFA Principal
Kristie Boisen has served as an Assistant Principal at Rome Free Academy for the past four years and will now step into the role of Interim Principal.
Before joining RFA, Boisen spent 20 years as an art teacher. During that time, she facilitated the first-ever Professional Learning Community through Madison-Oneida BOCES. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in professional development, ultimately leading her to her current position at RFA.
Q: What do you like about working in education?
A: I love sharing my passion for education with others to inspire them to also be passionate for education! "When you love what you do, it is no longer a job". Then students experience adults feeling inspired about educating them, which I would hope would rub off, just a little, on our students, to make them lifelong learners- of whatever passion drives them.
Q: What would you like to accomplish this school year?
A: I would like to accomplish a sense of pride in RFA with students, staff, and the community by strengthening our commitment to safety, consistency, and communication.
Q: In a few words, what does "Rome is Home" mean to you?
A: It may sound cliché, but Rome really is my home. I was born and raised here; I graduated from the "old" RFA; I stood on the side of Chestnut Street in the 90s with the rest of the community when the base was being shut down; I live here. My husband and I have raised our children here, and I cannot think of another place that I would rather be than a leader in the Rome City School District.