St. Mary’s Catholic School kindergarten student James Timberlake gets his temperature taken by nurse Robin in the car line.
SPLOST funds boosted finances for
capital expenditures, with consumers
buying local and with the leveled
playing field by taxing online purchases.
The federal CARES Act provided
significant funds for coping with and
adapting to COVID-19 avoidance for
purchases of technology and PPE.
Demographic shifts and business
closures with revenue reductions
have prompted the Floyd system to
move grade levels to different schools.
From 2016 when 10,040 students
were enrolled to 2021 with 9,261
students, the system was forced to
make unpopular decisions. To the
neighborhoods surrounding them,
painful closures have been announced
at Cave Spring, Glenwood and McHenry
elementary schools.
Architectural refreshes, road
improvements and even driveways are
planned to accommodate the changes
for schools for the newly transferred
students.
Meanwhile test scores for the ACT are
up, and Armuchee and Model are tied
for the highest in the NWGA region with
21.1.
PREPARING FOR
THE FUTURE
For 2021, Rome is starting three more
pathways in automotive, manufacturing
and culinary arts and 22 classrooms
are in the new CCCA building to
accommodate more college and work
ready students. Pathways total 25
inclusive of three new ones, with health
care as one of the anchor programs.
Rome’s sixth grade academy is going to
be established this year and will include
STEM education and students will learn
more about middle, high school and
college so they may be prepared for
their academic future.
Other capital improvements include
Armuchee High School with 9th grade
academy, replacing the roof, HVAC,
lighting and more. Model High School
access is going to be considerably
improved with safety at the forefront.
Expanding dual enrollment – the most
effective and efficient way to deliver a
win- win for students in high school to
get a jump start with college credits-
and AP courses are of interest to both
systems.
St. Mary’s School, Unity Christian
School, Montessori and Berry
Elementary are all continuing education
and with solid test scores and creative
learning environments.
Darlington School’s Head of School
Brent Bell is “very optimistic” about
’21 and the future. He has asked much
from the teachers, staff and students
and they built upon the positives that
have occurred. Some boarding students
opted for the virtual choice while most
boarding students stayed on campus.
Schools and school systems, whether
public or private, took a hit in 2020
both economically and psychologically
-- but are on course for good things if
vaccination programs and economic
forecasts hold.