UTICA — New Utica City School District Superintendent of Schools Christopher Spence was sworn in Tuesday at the beginning of a special meeting of the district's board of education. Spence then outlined his 100-Day Entry Plan, which is already underway as his official first day with the district was Aug. 5.
He promised he will dedicate his first 100 days to engaging with both internal and external stakeholders and conduct a critical assessment of the district. Spence said his five main objectives are to: Ensure a smooth transition in leadership. Provide an opportunity to engage internal and external stakeholders and solicit feedback while building relationships.
Deploy a survey instrument to gather input from internal and external stakeholder groups. Conduct a structural and cultural audit via an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Identify key priorities for the upcoming year.
The anticipated outcomes of his 100-Day Entry Plan are: A deeper channel of trust and connectedness between the superintendent, board of education and community. Heightened visibility within the district and community. Utilization of quantitative and qualitative data to conduct a structural and cultural audit of the district, informing district priorities.
A summary of feedback that is codified and analyzed. The plan will be in three stages, Spence added. Phase one is stakeholder engagement in days 1-30.
Phase two is a structural audit in days 31-60. Phase three is to identify key priorities in days 61-100, he explained. Spence concluded his presentation with a definition of his philosophy of education.
"It's really one that's centered on expanding opportunities, working to service the needs of our community and our students, and making sure we are building a system that is meritocratic for all of the stakeholders involved," he said. Those 100 days will culminate on Nov. 13, Spence said.
In memoriam The first action of his superintendent's report at the meeting was the board's official recording, with sorrow, of the passing of retired Hugh R. Jones Elementary School teacher Christine Ford. Board president Joseph Hobika Jr.
called for a moment of silence for Ford, who Hobika said retired in 2019 and had once been his own children's teacher. "She was a credit to our district," he said. Their official board resolution said she was a devoted educator for 39 years who "touched the hearts and minds of countless students.
Mrs. Ford spread love, kindness and optimism and made the world a brighter and more beautiful place to live. She leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion.
" Stay informed The next meeting of the Utica City School District Board of Education starts with executive session at 5 p.m. and public session at 6:30 p.
m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 at the district office, 929 York St.
This is a change from the originally scheduled date. For more information, visit www.uticaschools.
org ..
