January 23, 2023 - ROME, GA – The Rome City Commission agreed Monday to back $103 million in bonds to fund construction of a new Rome Middle School, to be built across Veterans Memorial Highway from the current facility.
The bonds will be paid back over the next 20 years, using an education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST), which is a one-cent sales tax on all retail purchases.
“The safety and security of our students is the number one priority of Rome City Schools,” said Superintendent, Dr. Eric L. Holland. “The current Rome Middle School was built for 700 students. There are currently more than 1,000 students enrolled at RMS, with an anticipated growth of 140 students per year. A new Rome Middle School is necessary to ensure our students remain safe and secure as the school population grows.”
Construction of the new Rome Middle School will total $119 million, with $9 million coming from capital outlay funds. The new facility will include a sixth grade campus, which will free up 4-6 classrooms at each elementary school, preventing them from having to expand.
“We are grateful to the Rome City Commission for supporting this vote and for supporting Rome City Schools. As the public education system for the City of Rome, we are responsible for and committed to providing the children of Rome with an exemplary education,” continued Holland. “We simply cannot do that without facilities that are conducive to learning. Our children deserve the very best. Thanks to the City Commission’s support, we will be able to provide that to them.”