NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifePre-K to 8Service
Darlington impacts area economically and socially
Dec 17, 2002 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
A tri-weekly trip to K-Mart, Darlington Players productions, holiday parties, food and blanket drives, mentoring, showerheads, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, award-winning authors, and financial assistance -although this probably looks like a random list, these items have a common thread. They help Darlington make a significant social and economic impact to the Rome/Floyd County area. This nearly 100-year association between the School and the community is mutually beneficial.
The picturesque Rome community with many small-town amenities and a friendly, safe atmosphere is a plus point when potential resident students, their families, and prospective faculty visit the School. “One of the reasons I was willing to come back to this area to teach was that Rome is a very family-oriented community. There are a wide variety of parks, playgrounds, fairs, and shows that are geared for children,” Upper School faculty member John Cox said. “Darlington has a wonderful atmosphere for raising children. Knowing that Rome is the same way, made the decision live here that much easier.”
Rome and Floyd County receive benefits from Darlington, as well. The economic impact of Darlington School on the Rome/Floyd County community for the 2002-03 academic year will be nearly $44,000,000. Many elements factor into this total. With 160 employees and a $5,600,000 salary budget, Darlington’s payroll will benefit the local economy by more than $39,200,000. This estimate is based on the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce multiplier factor of seven. “The multiplier factor assumes that most of the money stays in the area where people work and live. Everyone has household and living expenses. It perpetuates. For example, people spend money at their local grocery store that employs other individuals in the community. These individuals, in turn, spend their earnings in the area,” Bob Rogers, vice-president for finance, said.
“Darlington’s economic impact is not limited to our salary budget. This year the School’s operating budget is over $15,700,000, spent, almost exclusively, in Floyd County. Currently and during the past several years, Darlington has spent over $20,000,000 on capital improvements with the construction of the Huffman Center and the girls’ houses plus other projects,” Rogers said.
Darlington’s current total enrollment is 901. Within the enrollment, there are 170 boarding students, from 18 countries and 24 states, who bring in more than $4,450,000 in tuition, all of which comes from outside Floyd County, to the local economy. Between boarding student expenditures and spending as a result of special weekends and visits to the Darlington campus, more than $750,000 is spent at local businesses. Using the Rome Tourist Bureau’s multiplier factor of five, this has an economic impact of over $3,750,000 to the community in one academic year.
Often contagious, the spirit of servitude is an integral force at Darlington’s core directly impacting the Rome community. Encompassing community service into the mission statement is evidence of its significance, “…To impart the high calling of service to others.” And the School’s motto, “Wisdom more than knowledge; Service beyond self; Honor above everything” reflects the School’s belief in community service, as well. Student activities reiterate the principle. Community service has become part of Darlington’s character. All three division of the School have strong community service programs; therefore, the majority of Darlington students participate in community service each year.
Visits to elementary schools and daycare centers and support of the recycling program are but a few examples of activities that are strongly supported throughout the year. But with the holiday season an ardent desire to do for others abounds across the Darlington campuses. The weeks prior to Thanksgiving until Christmas break are abuzz with service activities from kindergarten to twelfth grade and every grade in between. The list abounds: collecting cans, visits to retirement centers, Christmas giving and festivities with children referred by the Floyd County Department of Family and Children Services, and drives.
Middle School students get into the spirit of giving with an astounding enthusiasm giving to Angel Express, donating to special-needs students at Georgia School for the Deaf, Cave Spring, Ga., for the 16th consecutive year, hosting a holiday party for Rebecca Blaylock Child Development Center, Rome, and so much more. “We try to do at least one community service project a month during the school year,” Nancy Ivester, Middle School faculty member, said.
The Lower School also embraces community service. Each year, every grade level participates in outreach along with school-wide undertakings. Their endeavors include drives for warm clothes, food, and Toys for Tots; supporting Angel Tree; adopting Rome families in need; performing plays and holiday programs for retirement centers; and collecting funds for Good Neighbors Ministries.
“The impact is tremendous to the community. Not only do organizations receive tangible services from Darlington students, but Darlington is instilling the value of community service in our students which is building service-minded leaders for the future,” David Rhodes, headmaster, said.
The Rome art community also benefits from Darlington. Many of the School’s special programs and performances are open to the public. “We hosted the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and, for the second year, have invited an award-winning author to campus in the spring,” Dan Bishop, fine arts department chair, said. Many of these functions, including Darlington Player productions, are open to the public and encouraged through publicity in the Rome News Tribune and other organizations’ calendar of events.
The picturesque Rome community with many small-town amenities and a friendly, safe atmosphere is a plus point when potential resident students, their families, and prospective faculty visit the School. “One of the reasons I was willing to come back to this area to teach was that Rome is a very family-oriented community. There are a wide variety of parks, playgrounds, fairs, and shows that are geared for children,” Upper School faculty member John Cox said. “Darlington has a wonderful atmosphere for raising children. Knowing that Rome is the same way, made the decision live here that much easier.”
Rome and Floyd County receive benefits from Darlington, as well. The economic impact of Darlington School on the Rome/Floyd County community for the 2002-03 academic year will be nearly $44,000,000. Many elements factor into this total. With 160 employees and a $5,600,000 salary budget, Darlington’s payroll will benefit the local economy by more than $39,200,000. This estimate is based on the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce multiplier factor of seven. “The multiplier factor assumes that most of the money stays in the area where people work and live. Everyone has household and living expenses. It perpetuates. For example, people spend money at their local grocery store that employs other individuals in the community. These individuals, in turn, spend their earnings in the area,” Bob Rogers, vice-president for finance, said.
“Darlington’s economic impact is not limited to our salary budget. This year the School’s operating budget is over $15,700,000, spent, almost exclusively, in Floyd County. Currently and during the past several years, Darlington has spent over $20,000,000 on capital improvements with the construction of the Huffman Center and the girls’ houses plus other projects,” Rogers said.
Darlington’s current total enrollment is 901. Within the enrollment, there are 170 boarding students, from 18 countries and 24 states, who bring in more than $4,450,000 in tuition, all of which comes from outside Floyd County, to the local economy. Between boarding student expenditures and spending as a result of special weekends and visits to the Darlington campus, more than $750,000 is spent at local businesses. Using the Rome Tourist Bureau’s multiplier factor of five, this has an economic impact of over $3,750,000 to the community in one academic year.
Often contagious, the spirit of servitude is an integral force at Darlington’s core directly impacting the Rome community. Encompassing community service into the mission statement is evidence of its significance, “…To impart the high calling of service to others.” And the School’s motto, “Wisdom more than knowledge; Service beyond self; Honor above everything” reflects the School’s belief in community service, as well. Student activities reiterate the principle. Community service has become part of Darlington’s character. All three division of the School have strong community service programs; therefore, the majority of Darlington students participate in community service each year.
Visits to elementary schools and daycare centers and support of the recycling program are but a few examples of activities that are strongly supported throughout the year. But with the holiday season an ardent desire to do for others abounds across the Darlington campuses. The weeks prior to Thanksgiving until Christmas break are abuzz with service activities from kindergarten to twelfth grade and every grade in between. The list abounds: collecting cans, visits to retirement centers, Christmas giving and festivities with children referred by the Floyd County Department of Family and Children Services, and drives.
Middle School students get into the spirit of giving with an astounding enthusiasm giving to Angel Express, donating to special-needs students at Georgia School for the Deaf, Cave Spring, Ga., for the 16th consecutive year, hosting a holiday party for Rebecca Blaylock Child Development Center, Rome, and so much more. “We try to do at least one community service project a month during the school year,” Nancy Ivester, Middle School faculty member, said.
The Lower School also embraces community service. Each year, every grade level participates in outreach along with school-wide undertakings. Their endeavors include drives for warm clothes, food, and Toys for Tots; supporting Angel Tree; adopting Rome families in need; performing plays and holiday programs for retirement centers; and collecting funds for Good Neighbors Ministries.
“The impact is tremendous to the community. Not only do organizations receive tangible services from Darlington students, but Darlington is instilling the value of community service in our students which is building service-minded leaders for the future,” David Rhodes, headmaster, said.
The Rome art community also benefits from Darlington. Many of the School’s special programs and performances are open to the public. “We hosted the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and, for the second year, have invited an award-winning author to campus in the spring,” Dan Bishop, fine arts department chair, said. Many of these functions, including Darlington Player productions, are open to the public and encouraged through publicity in the Rome News Tribune and other organizations’ calendar of events.
