Syracuse School children and teachers officially got their new semester started Wednesday in all but one city school. A few of them had some special guests with encouragement – and some challenges on their minds.
Salem Hyde Principal Patricia Floyd Eccles greeted children…and had Mayor Stephanie Miner and Interim Superintendent Jaime Alicea in tow…ready to kick start the year.
Miner told the students that they "look smart and engaged and ready to be here".
Alicea is heading the district after the summer departure of Sharon Contreras, who took a job in North Carolina. He says all concerned are ready to put summer behind them
"I believe that the kids are ready," Alicea said. "I believe that staff was ready. The schools are ready. Our support staff has done an excellent job getting the school ready and I believe that this is going to be a great year in Syracuse city school district."
The year begins amid hope and high expectations. Realities of school funding however are on the minds of Miner…who notes Grant Middle School, right up the street, recently dug itself out of the persistent failing list…but then faces a conundrum.
"They have done great work to get that school off the list and then once they were able to achieve these great results, which we congratulate them for, the state pulls back some of that funding," Miner said. "How are we going to continue to keep these successful programs in place if the second you achieve it you pull away what has enabled you to get off of that list?"
A persistent city problem came up to bite one school postponing opening day. Bellevue Elementary suffered a water main break. Superintendent Alicea says the staff are working round the clock to keep things dry and mold free.
