Job Description

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals.

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) will work collaboratively with all members of the Executive Team to ensure coordinated planning and consistent implementation of the District's strategic plan, making certain that programs and priorities are focused on eliminating the achievement gap and improving student achievement. The CAO will provide leadership to communicate system priorities and ensure collaborative work processes to effectively and efficiently utilize resources. The CAO will oversee and monitor the implementation of systemic cross-functional strategic projects and initiatives, will provide support to instructional directors and coordinators, and will monitor these projects and initiatives to ensure they lead to high student achievement. The CAO will foster a work environment that is student-focused and results-oriented and that places priority on student learning and performance. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO will articulate to various local and state officials the District's strategic initiatives and alignment of programs. The CAO will plan, direct, develop, coordinate and review system wide projects in curriculum development and related instructional and extracurricular services and is responsible for system wide services for all academic programs. The CAO will work closely with the other members of the Executive Leadership Team.

WHO WE WANT

Successful SCSD employees are passionately committed to urban education and all in for Syracuse students. They:

• Believe strongly that all students can learn at high levels;
• Demonstrate commitment to serving urban students, schools or communities, and to closing the achievement gap;
• Demonstrate willingness to put the interests of students above all others;
• Actively contribute to a culture of high expectations in schools and the district;
• Adapt seamlessly to the complexities of the urban school environment; and
• Follow current trends in education policy and research.
  

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Reporting to the Superintendent, the Chief Academic Officer, at a minimum:

• Provides leadership and directs the development of Pre-K – 12 academic programs and new course design;
• Identifies and implements effective curriculum and instructional policies and practices that maximize educational options that lead to improved achievement for all students;
• Reviews, approves and maintains the Program of Studies and interprets state and local policies related to credit, graduation requirements and the total instructional program; and helps to identify training needs and participates in developing staff training programs;
• Conducts evaluations of key program initiatives as a means of informing the Superintendent as to the effectiveness of District programming and recommendations for improvement;
• Identifies program and project managers and ensures that all project timelines are met;
• Sets priorities and measurable goals;
• Provides the required supports to foster a culture that motivates teachers and administrators to perform at the level of excellence necessary to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap;
• Develops and maintains clear and inclusive decision-making processes to ensure integration of academic supports and services;
• Serves on cross-functional teams to provide educational and managerial leadership that builds and supports a high performance educational team, inspiring and aligning the academic work of the District;
• Provides support to schools addressing state and local accountability plans;
• Displays knowledge of both the practical instructional issues of school reform and educational research and analyses;
• Monitors education research, trends, and developments to support school improvement efforts and program development; and fosters the sharing of high yield strategies and opportunities for collaboration within and among all levels;
• Reviews and monitors individual office budgets and expenditures to ensure that they are aligned with the strategic initiatives of the District and that resources are directed appropriately;
• Provides and distributes material and staff resources to schools and offices, assures their use in the manner and for the purposes intended, and enforces accountability for all disbursements and expenditures, working with and through the Executive Leadership Team;
• Presents information to the Superintendent, Board of Education, Executive Leadership Team, public groups, and national, state and local officials;
• Manages the development and oversight of planning initiatives with local and state government;
• Represents the District, serves as a liaison to relevant matters with the New York State Department of Education and assures that state, federal and local standards and requirements are met;
• Oversees the development of partnerships with leading educational and community organizations, both locally and nationally, to support and enhance District efforts;
• Performs other duties as directed by the Superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Combined minimum 10 years’ successful experience in teaching, curriculum development, school administration, professional supervision, staff development and/or budget preparations.
• Minimum 3 years’ successful experience as a building leader.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, supervision or curriculum development.
• New York State School District Leader Certificate (SDL) or School District Administrator (SDA), reciprocity given to candidates from other states.
• Broad knowledge of modern research-based instructional techniques and teaching methods.
• Ability to work frequent nights, weekends and holidays as required.

SALARY/SALARY RANGE

• Competitive salary & benefits, commensurate with related experience ranging from 185,850-205,485 (2025-2026)

  This position is a supervisory "at-will" Superintendent's Appointment. As such, it is not a probationary appointment and may be terminated at any time. Applicants knowingly waive rights under New York Education Law or Civil Service Law to a permanent appointment or to Section 75 rights under Civil Service Law.