Thursday marked the first day on the job for Jaime Alicea as the new superintendent of the Syracuse city schools. The Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to remove the word “interim” from his title.
Alicea says he never thought he’d become superintendent when the Puerto Rican native began as a kindergarten teaching assistant at Seymour Elementary in 1983.
“When I came here, I did not speak much English. I still have my accent, and I’m proud of it," Alicea said. "I was told when I came here that I was only going to be able to learn the language to go to the store to buy bread and milk. Now, 34 years later, I can prove to the people that when you work hard, when you are determined, you can achieve anything that you want.”
That’s the example he hopes to set for children and parents. Alicea rose through the ranks, spending several years as a teacher, then as vice principal and principal, before taking positions in the district’s central office. School board president Derrick Dorsey says Alicea met and exceeded the goals and expectations they set for him during his seven months as interim.
“We had an internal candidate with many years of experience in the district, knew the culture and climate of our district, and helped us look at what are the things we need to have our eyes on in terms of moving the dial for our district.”
Including, Dorsey says, attendance, graduation and dropout rates. He says the board felt it was best to look internally for a superintendent, rather than conduct an outside search.
"Sometimes it's a cultural shock for some folks to come in. It's already a steep ramp," Dorsey said. "You have to come in and learn the Syracuse City School District, learn Syracuse, learn all the decision makers, stakeholders, build those relationships. And he has those. Along with that, he has the experience and expertise."
While Alicea might have a running start, he’s fully aware of the work ahead.
“One of the biggest challenges continues to be student performance in the Syracuse City School District," Alicea said. "That’s why we’re going to focus on early intervention, making sure that we are working with the kids, but also working with the families.”
Alicea knows there will be tough choices ahead, but he’s committed to doing the best for the students who are counting on him and the district to help them succeed.
"I am more inclusive and a great listener, but there is a time where I have to make the decision. Right now, everybody loves me, but that may not be [the case] tomorrow. Because I have to do what's best for the 21,000 students we have in the Syracuse City School District."
