The Rome City School District is pleased to welcome James Sojda as its new Director of District School Safety and Security.
In his role, Sojda develops, implements, and oversees the district's safety and security operations, including evaluating policies, procedures, and emergency response plans, supervising school security staff, and coordinating training programs. Sojda also serves as the district’s primary liaison to the Rome Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies and emergency responders.
“We are excited to welcome James Sojda to the Rome City School District as our Director of District School Safety and Security,” said Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Nerlande Anselme. “With a distinguished career in law enforcement and school safety, along with extensive training in emergency response tactics, Sojda’s knowledge and field experience will ensure a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and families.”
Sojda brings more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the district, including roles in management, investigations, training, and probation officer positions. Prior to joining RCSD, Sojda served as a Probation Supervisor for the Oneida County Probation Department, where he worked since 2003. As Probation Supervisor, Sojda directed training and staff development for all probation officers and staff, supervised all departmental technology, managed resource allocation, and developed and enforced departmental policies and procedures.
Sojda has also led and managed numerous committees, academies, and training programs throughout the community. He served as Chair of the Mohawk Valley School Resource Officer and Juvenile Officer Coalition, Co-Vice President for the NYS Probation Officer Association (Region 10), and Director of Fundamentals for Oneida County’s Probation Practice Academy. He has also served as Co-Coordinator of both the Mohawk Valley Police Academy Peace Officer Basic Course and the School Threat Assessment Team with the Oneida County Sherriff’s Office.
A licensed NYS Armed Security Guard, Sojda holds numerous Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Instructor certifications, including Principles of Policing and Defensive Tactics. He is also trained in Workplace Violence Prevention, Bomb Response, and Active Threat Response.
An instructor at the Mohawk Valley Police Academy, Sojda’s background in education also includes a previous stint as a horticulture teacher and as a longtime varsity coach for boys basketball and soccer, boys and girls track and volleyball, and boys and girls cross country.
“It is an honor to serve here at the Rome City School District,” Sojda said. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and I look forward to working with the entire school district to ensure the safety of our families, students, staff, and community.”
Sojda, of Clinton, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Services from Nichols College.