At the regular meeting of the Education Committee of the City of Rome School District on May 18, members unanimously approved the official naming of the press box at the RFA Stadium after Raymond Tarkowski, who served the City of Rome School District as spokesman for Rome Free Academy football games since 1974.
The move was motivated by a petition filed by the municipality with the School District of the City of Rome and the Board of Education requesting the naming in Tarkowski’s honor.
The district and school board reiterated their agreement to take note of Tarkowski’s “significant service and contributions to the district and the students of the Rome City School District.”
The press box was dedicated in Tarkowski’s honor and is now officially called The Raymond Tarkowski Press Box.
acceptance of election results
In other board business, at the meeting convened less than 24 hours after the results of the board and budget elections, members voted unanimously to accept the election results, with Kelly Carninci, Cassie Knutti, Danielle Lubecki and Jon Maggiolino nominated to fill the four expiring seats and to accept the proposed budget of $130,285,026.00 and the establishment of a $5,000,000 capital reserve fund.
Superintendent Updates
In his report to the Board, Superintendent of Schools Peter Blake thanked voters in Rome for supporting the budget and capital reserve. He congratulated the RFA juniors on a prom that “went fantastically” and recalled that the RFA seniors prom, to be held at Vernon Downs, is imminent.
As part of the district’s work with a consultant to rebrand the RCSD website and social media presence, a reputation survey will be conducted among students, staff and the community. He expects the site to get a “soft start” during Regents Week, just before the end of the school year.
Blake also shared that receptions will be hosted at the last two Education Committee meetings of the current school year — June 9 and June 26 — with both meetings taking place at the RFA library rather than at the district offices. At the June 9 gathering, the first Tenure Reception since the tradition was disrupted by Covid will be held to celebrate with their friends and family teachers who will be hired this year. Prior to the regular June 26 meeting, there will also be an inaugural reception at the RFA library to celebrate the district’s retiring faculty and staff. Both receptions begin at 5:30 p.m., the respective sessions will be called for booking at 6:00 p.m
Blake also promoted the next meeting of the board’s ad hoc committee on redistribution of districts, scheduled for May 26. But Nash corrected him by saying that was no longer likely. There was no further discussion of an alternative date.
