Welcome to the
Romulus Central School,
the small School with the BIG Idea .
The District
Situated in the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State, the Romulus District provides quality educational services to the residents of an 88 square mile area in central Seneca county. Bordered by Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, the population centers of the district include Romulus, Fayette, Mac Dougal, and the lake shores of East and West Varick. Much of the land of the district is agricultural, with vineyards and wineries a major interest. The former Seneca Army Depot (now an “activity” of the Department of Defense, slated for closure) occupies 11,000 acres of land within the district boundaries. Home to a Coast Guard LORAN station and Sampson State Park, the District has a history of cooperative relationships with governmental agencies. Nearby Geneva, Waterloo, and Seneca Falls, along with Ovid, Trumansburg, Ithaca, and Watkins Glen to the south, provide recreational and social opportunities, shopping and services. The Thruway is within a half hour of any point in the district. The urban amenities of both Rochester and Syracuse are within an hour and a half’s drive. Finger Lakes Community College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the New York Chiropractic College, Ithaca College and Cornell University are within 25 miles, with Keuka College, Elmira College, Syracuse University and the University of Rochester are easilycommutable.
The School
A single building housing 625 students in Prekindergarten through grade 12, the Romulus school provides a comprehensive program of instruction for all students. Class sizes are small; teachers are well prepared and committed to excellence; support services are personalized. Early childhood programming includes a strong component of parental involvement, small classes provide personalized attention, intermediate students receive enrichment in Foreign Languages, Technology and Home and Career skills, and all elementary students receive instruction in computer skills twice weekly in a state of the art facility. At the secondary , a model Middle Level program has been in place for five years, interdisciplinary teaching occurs at all grades, a portfolio graduation requirement is in place, and all students take classes at the Regents level. Romulus is proud to be a component district of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, whose services, housed in nearby Flint, include occupational and special education, staff development, and shared services with other districts. Small class sizes, individual attention, the latest technology in computers, a friendly, safe environment centered on the needs of children, Romulus offers parents the best of both worlds - an innovative program in a quaint rural setting.
History
Romulus Central School was formed by public vote in 1937, a consolidation of more than a dozen one-room schoolhouses scattered among the “military tract” lands first awarded soldiers of the Revolution in the late 18th century. The region has a rich history replete with Native American origins, touched by the Revolution, the development of the Erie Canal, the Abolitionist movement and underground railroad, the Mormon church, the Women’s Rights Movement, the Civil War, World War II, the Cold War, and the Women’s Peace Encampment. Romulus has remained a fiercely independent district, despite consolidation efforts affecting neighboring districts in recent years, and is proud of its sixty year history as an independent school.
Facilities
The original structure was built in 1938 and has seen renovations throughout the years to maintain its integrity and enhance programming. Major additions were completed in the 50’s and 60’s including elementary classrooms, a 600 seat air-conditioned auditorium, and a gymnasium complex. Recent work has included the installation of an instructional computer network, new science labs, a state of the art lecture room, and remodeled occupational education classrooms. The grounds feature the Romulus Activity Park, a Robert Leathers playground and community-use outdoor facility, built entirely through volunteer efforts in the late 1980’s.
Staff
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead may well have been talking about the caring staff at Romulus when she wrote those words. A faculty of fifty and a support staff of equal number provide each student with a personal touch in every aspect of their education. From a friendly face on the bus in the morning to individualized remediation and special help, to after-school review sessions and athletics, we are convinced that the people at Romulus are what make it the special place that it is. With a strong sense of customer satisfaction as their goal, every member of the staff contributes to our commitment to excellence.
Extracurricular
One of the advantages of a small school is an individual’s ability to participate in activities. Drama, student government, music, clubs, and athletics often feature the same students in more than one activity. A proud history of athletic accomplishment includes recent league titles in football and baseball as well as three consecutive sectional championships in basketball.
Success
Students at Romulus enjoy a very high level of academic success. At the high school, all students take Regents level coursework, and on average 80% of all students pass those Regents exams. The percent of total enrollment passing Regents exams at Romulus in 1995 was far above New York State averages for every exam area, and in several cases was double the statewide average! The newly issued School Report Cards indicate that this is a continuing pattern at our small School with the BIG Idea. These data can be found in an accompanying article or at www.nysed.gov . A detailed report of student performance is presented to the Board and public annually. 75% or more of the student population goes on to higher education. Recent graduates have attended Hobart and William Smith, Ithaca College, Syracuse University, Michigan State, Clemson, University of Arizona, Boston University and Cornell, as well as a wide variety of two and four year colleges. The average SAT score for recent graduates has been 446 verbal and 471 math, comparable to NYS averages of 418 and 472 respectively. The Gemini program, offered in conjunction with FLCC, allows Romulus students to earn up to 12 college credits on campus during their junior and senior years.
Governance
Romulus Central School is governed by a seven-member Board of Education which meets twice monthly. Additionally the District has an active twenty-five member Shared Decision Making Committee comprised of representatives of the PTA, teaching and non-teaching staff, administration, student body and community. Building level teams also function PK-6 and 7-12.
Budget
1998-99 General Fund Appropriations equal $5,595,322
Tax Levy equals $2,121,033, accounting for 38% of the Budget.
Average Tax Rate equals $15.62 per thousand of assessed value.
The tax on true value for the Romulus District remains below average in the Finger Lakes area .
(14 % lower than the average tax rate in the Finger Lakes.)
Vision
Romulus Central School is the distinctive small rural district, the center of a thriving community of learners, dedicated to empowering each student to be a thriving person of character and vision. Our challenging and diversified programs link Romulus to the world of the 21st Century.
Mission
Holding the belief that all students can learn and the conviction that learning is the responsibility of each student , the Romulus Central School community will provide an educational environment to encourage achievement and scholarship. Students will be encouraged and challenged to develop responsibility toward learning and will demonstrate skills which will enable them to become productive members of society.
Beliefs
At Romulus we believe that: