The Rome City Schools Board of Education celebrated outstanding student and staff achievements during its November 10 meeting, recognizing exceptional teachers, Georgia REACH Scholars, academic coaches, and the Rome High School Marching Band before turning its attention to academic progress, literacy initiatives, and district policies.
The meeting, held at the Rome High School College and Career Academy, opened with recognition of six elementary school teachers who received the Move the Needle Award for their work in science instruction.
The teachers recognized were Wantree Morgan of Anna K. Davie Elementary School, Tina Tinsley of East Central Elementary School, Chelsea Cole of Main Elementary School, Tamekia Campbell of West Central Elementary School, and June Davis and Tiffany Davis of West End Elementary School.
The Board also recognized five students selected as Georgia REACH Scholars. Kai Green, Kendrah Green, Nozomi Perry, Yaretzi Hernandez, and Zy’ion Wright were honored for their selection to the program. REACH is Georgia's first need-based mentorship and college scholarship program. It provides students with academic support, mentoring, and the opportunity to earn a $10,000 scholarship to help pay for college.
Eight academic coaches received recognition for excellence in instructional leadership. Those honored were Karen Scherich of Anna K. Davie Elementary School, Heather Byington of East Central Elementary School, Charissa Ondovic of Elm Street Elementary School, Jennifer Underwood of Main Elementary School, Beth Rogers of West Central Elementary School, Lisa LeMaster and Allison Brown of West End Elementary School, and Jennifer Vaughn of Rome Middle School.
The Board also celebrated the Sound of the Seven Hills, Rome High School’s Marching Band, which captured Grand Champion honors at the 2026 Northeast Alabama Marching Invitational in Albertville, Alabama. This was the second consecutive year the band eanred Grand Champion honors at the competition.
Following the recognitions, the Board received financial and ESPLOST VI reports and heard a school spotlight presentation from West Central Elementary School principal McKensey Wheeler.
The presentation emphasized West Central's efforts to improve academic performance, strengthen attendance, support teachers, and build relationships with families and community partners.
Among the academic highlights, West Central reported an 8.8 percentage-point increase in third-grade mathematics proficiency and a 5.7 percentage-point increase in fifth-grade mathematics proficiency. Fifth-grade science proficiency increased 3.7 percentage points.
The Board also received an update on the district's Unified Literacy Plan, which outlines Rome City Schools' approach to strengthening literacy instruction and supporting student reading achievement.
District leaders reviewed the plan's development timeline, including collaboration between the Teaching, Leading and Learning Team and regional literacy coaches. The district plans to bring the Unified Literacy Plan to the Board for approval at its December 8 meeting, ahead of the state's January 1, 2027, deadline.
The meeting also included a Hispanic Heritage Month spotlight highlighting student participation and the district's celebration of Hispanic culture and traditions.
The Board also reviewed revisions to two district policies. Changes to the professional leave policy provide eligible employees with up to three weeks of paid maternal birth leave, while updates to graduation requirements establish a Work-Based Learning Diploma Route for students pursuing careers in high-demand fields.