ROME — Discussions are underway to develop a partnership with the Rome City School District (RCDS) that would temporarily relocate Strough Middle School students to the Rome Catholic Elementary School building while Strough undergoes a major capital project, William Crist, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, announced to staff and parents of Rome Catholic Elementary Nov. 24.
The space is needed for up to three years, 2016 to 2018, in order to complete the project. Rome Catholic School, located on Cypress Street in Rome, is a viable option for RCDS based on the square footage, physical conditions and facility offerings.
Rome Catholic Elementary students would be moved to the former St. Peter’s School on Floyd Avenue in proximity to St. Peter’s Church. Rome Catholic School students will be provided a more suitable elementary facility that will better meet the current space and program needs of the school population. Rome Catholic was originally constructed for high school students and is now a much larger setting for the current enrollment of elementary students. St. Peter’s School will create a school well suited to serve the Rome community and region in a true elementary school setting.
The Diocese of Syracuse remains committed to providing Catholic school education in the greater Rome Community for students from pre-school through sixth grade and is working with Rome Catholic to build enrollment and provide additional tuition assistance throughout this transition period.
Once the Rome City School District Board of Education and State Education Department approval is completed for this proposed arrangement, a formal agreement between the Diocese of Syracuse and the Rome City School District will be executed. The transition will begin during the summer of 2016 for the start of the 2016-2017 academic year.
