001microphone check. One, two, one, two. Uh oh. All right. >> All right. Welcome to our monthly scheduled business meeting. It's October 8th. Um let's see. Councelor Cwell, could you lead us in a pledge of allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. As you all may know, we have a lot of dignitaries here today. We appreciate you all being here. It is Superintendent Anthony Q. Davis, that's Anthony Q. Davis, senior, is his final board meeting as our um superintendent. Um we do have some people that would like to address you. So, our first speaker is going to be our honorable mayor, Mr. Benjamin Walsh. >> Madam President, uh commissioners, thank
002you all for giving us the time. Um I am very happy to be the first speaker because we all probably have proclamations saying the same thing but I get to read it first. So uh so thank you for that uh President Bernett. So um be before I before I read the proclamation I just want to say really speak from the heart. Um superintendent uh it has been a true pleasure working with you. You know, I was uh blessed to have a a really good working relationship with Superintendent Ellisa, and we knew each other a little bit uh before you came into this position, but I've gotten to know you a lot better. And what I uh thought was true about you before we really got to work together turned out to be absolutely true, which
003is um it's all about right here. Um you have a heart for our children uh and for this district, and you have given uh your career to young people in our community. And I can't think of any more noble, beautiful thing to do than that. Uh, and for that, we are forever grateful. And in that spirit, I offer this proclamation. It reads, "Whereas Anthony Q. Davis Senior has devoted his career to advancing education, supporting student success, and strengthening the Syracuse City School District community. And whereas Superintendent Davis began his journey in 1986, I was seven. superintendent >> as a as a teaching assistant, bringing with him passion, vision, and unwavering belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve. And whereas Superintendent Davis served as a mentor, guide, and steady hand during
004times of both triumph and challenge, overseeing measurable improvements in student attendance and the successful opening of the region's first ever steam high school. Oh, back a second. Improvements in student attendance. I know that's something that you worked really hard on and and and kudos to you for that one. And whereas his commitment extended beyond academics, dedicating his time and service as a as superintendent of Syracuse City School District from July 1st, 2022 through October 31st, 2025. And whereas Superintendent Davis leaves a lasting legacy of leadership, inspiration, and dedication, having touched the lives of countless students, families, and colleagues, and setting a standard of excellence that will guide the Syracuse City School District for years to come. Now, therefore, I, Ben Walsh, mayor of the city of Syracuse, hereby proclaim the 8th day of October, 2025
005to be Anthony Q. Davis Senior Day in the city of Syracuse. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And now our next speaker. I kind of hope they don't kill me. I got to go out of order, but she the boss. We got Reverend Kathy Hajj Davis. Thank you for saying I'm the boss. I do appreciate that. Um to our family, friends, and community. The Davis family gives thanks to each of you for allowing our most precious cargo, Mr. Anthony Quinn Davis, Senior, to become an innovator and a leader of the Syracuse City School District for such a time as this. Thank you to the board for your tireless work that makes things equitable for all families, students, and staff. Thank you to community for showing up at all of the conversations to be both heard and willing
006to listen. The Syracuse City School District is stronger because of your voices. To his administrative staff, uh I'm not sure if they're in the room or not, but you young ladies, those young ladies, they rock. and my family is indebted to them for accepting every one of our phone calls no matter what time of day it was. I want to take a moment to express to all of you in this room our deepest um gratitude um but especially to our family members um Mama Lula, Mama Carrie, and our godmother Miss Rogers um in her absence to our brothers Frank Milton, Leon, Willie James, and Paul. to our sister Karen, Betty, Brenda, Judy, Cherylyn, and Kesha. To our nieces, and to our nephews who have stood by us. Your unwavering support has meant the world to
007the superintendent and I, and we thank you. We are also incredibly thankful for our pastor and first lady, Reverend Phil M. and Lady Janice Turner, along with our additional spiritual counsels, Reverend Kenneth and Evangelist Sandre Reid. to our big brothers, Bishop H. Bernard Alex, Dr. Dicardo Draper, and to the many other countless men and women of faith who have prayed with us and prayed for us. Your encouragement has been invaluable. to every elected official from the mayor to the deputy mayor, the fire chief, the common counselors to senators, most especially to Senator May and to Senator Manion and all to GTG 100 black men, the divine nine, LKM, the Islamic Society, Interfaith Works, and a great big God bless you in his absence to Dr. Joseph D. Woods who saw something in my husband, the
008superintendent. We thank you for his mentorship from the very start of his career and to so many others who I don't have time to name. But if you're in the room, from our heart, we say thank you. We want you to know that every reward that was received, even though it has the superintendent's name on it, we took it and we received it in love on behalf of the Syracuse School District. Our journey has been one that we have never taken for granted. Though thank you may seem small, it comes from the heart and is expressed with deep humility. Our journey does not end here today. Rather, it leads us into new ways to advocate for our families, our students, and staff of the Syracuse City School District. I say to you that while we
009may not have always seen eye to eye, our intentions have been pure. They have been intentional and they have been deliberate. Our position here has been a hope for the least who now know that they can. As people of faith, we hope that this has been evident in our work. We wholeheartedly support and endorse the next superintendent, Miss Pamela Odum. >> We are rooting for her. And I'm sorry. and all those who are under her leadership. I'm I'm closed and I'm She got a clap >> as the Baptist preacher would say. And as I go to my seat, on behalf of myself, the wife of the superintendent Anthony Q. Davis senior, proud mother of our children, Claire Fidel, August, Marie, Alex, Tony, Eileene, Anthony Jr., and Vera, Renee, and the tribe that lovingly calls him
010dad and papa. We again say thank you to each all of to all of you and to my beloved the man who covers me who is the head of my life as Christ is to the head of the church I love you it's only up from here baby we cruise it after this please thank Um, our next speaker, >> um, can we get the timer? >> Yeah, we we might need No, we not we not our next speaker is going to be uh Congressman John Manion. >> Thank you. When uh President Barnett mentioned that this would be your last board meeting, I knew I had to move quickly because we were approaching a government shutdown and before they locked up the nice paper, I said uh to my team, let's get going on this cuz
011uh so I didn't know if I would be able to be here and good or bad, I am here. So, I thank you for making sure I had the opportunity, present, to be here. I thank you, uh, Superintendent Davis and and, uh, Reverend Davis, for your dedication to this district. You know, I'm proud to say that, uh, I taught at Nottingham High School for four years. >> There we go. >> Come on. >> And my my wife taught at I did my best. You know, half my suits and ties are in DC, so this is as close as I can get to to Black Knight Hener colors, you know, >> but uh I I uh love my time teaching in the city schools and I love the schools like you do and my wife who
012taught at Le Moine and is back here is really proud of uh of being a part of something special. Um I have a Quinn at home also as you know. So uh um you know I'm I'm going to read this entire proclamation which is lengthy but I think it's necessary. And I will say that I go back to my my first graduate school uh professor who said there's there's two things you need to be a great educator. Number one, you care about those kids with your entire mind, heart, and soul. And number two is everything else will fall into place. So your dedication to the children is something that cause you to put in those long hours, to go the extra mile, to have that extra conversation. And that's clear because people appreciate it. I
013appreciate it. And you know, we didn't know, like the mayor said, we didn't know each other very well. I consider you, you know, one of my friends and somebody who if I needed something, I could call upon. So, um, this is an official United States House of Representatives proclamation. Uh, it is dated October 31st, if I have that date correctly. So, we're looking into the future. And whereas Anthony Q. Davis senior has dedicated his life and career to the field of education beginning as a special education teacher before entering school administration in 1996 as an administrative intern at Hener High School. And whereas in 1997, Mr. Davis began a nearly two decade tenure in the Liverpool Central School District where he served with distinction by fostering a safe and secure learning environment for 2,300 students,
014advancing strong academic programs, creating student forums, improving counseling practices, and ensuring that students were prepared to be truly college and career ready. And whereas in 2016, Mr. Mr. Davis returned to the Syracuse City School District as assistant superintendent of secondary schools where he oversaw six high schools, six middle schools, 24 career and technical education programs, four alternative programs, three K12 departments, two adult education programs and all district athletics while also providing leadership training to aspiring administrators. In 2022, he was appointed interim superintendent and was formally appointed superintendent in 2023. And whereas Mr. Davis holds a permanent certification as a school district administrator, a certificate of completion from Sunni Asiggo's New York State Superintendent Development Program, a master's of science degree in special education from Syracuse University, a bachelor's of science degree in liberal studies from
015Sunni Albany, and an associates in occupational studies and computer programming from the Bryant and Stratnik Bitness Institute. And whereas beyond his professional roles, Mr. Davis has been a steadfast community leader serving on boards of Light of Syracuse, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, St. Joseph's School of Nursing, and Voices for Youth, while also co-founding Brother, a youth outreach program pairing community leaders with young people in need. He has previously served with organizations including the Southwest Community Center, exemplifying a lifetime of commitment to equity, opportunity, and service to others. And whereas in recognition of this profound impact on students, families, and the greater Syracuse community, Mr. Davis has been named 2024 Triumph Award recipient. And therefore, be it pro proclaimed that on the 31st of October, 2025, I, as a duly elected member of the
016House of Representatives, will celebrate on the floor Anthony Q. Davis on the occasion of his retirement from the Syracuse City School District. Beautiful. >> Not the backup singer. >> That's my dog. the age of Gwen. >> Oh yeah, >> analyze that. >> Our next speaker is going to be the honorable Helen Hudson. I'm sorry. Right. She's a Oh, >> you speaking here. >> Good afternoon, commissioners. Anthony Q. Wow. >> Quinn. >> Oh, really? >> Anthony Q. I've never called you that. I always called you super. But tonight, I'm going to call you Anthony Q. All right. >> I just want to say thank you for your heart for our children. Thank you for getting us through one of the toughest periods of our lifetime. You took us through half of the co and you did
017a wonderful job. I love the way that you work with the families. Oh gosh. >> Take your time. And I love the way that you ensured that in the food deserts that some of our children came from that they were provided with the daily nutrition that was needed throughout this endeavor. I want to say thank you. I want to say I love you and I just want to say Anthony Q, thank you for being who you are. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is going to be councelor Rashidita Cwell. I'm going to make it short and brief, you know, but I I do want to say this that um many people don't know they look at um our superintendent Anthony Davis like, "Oh yeah, he's our superintendent." He's much more than a superintendent. He shows
018up and that's what matters for our community, right? He's there academically. He's there athletically. He's there for families. People don't know some of the things that happen behind closed doors, right? You always see like what happens in our meetings, but he's that man that that stood up and said when children were in need, you know, there were people that passed away in the school district and he came out his own pocket and gave up money. People don't know that suit, right? So, I want everybody to understand that like this man right here is more than just a superintendent. He was a brother. He was a father, right? He was grandparent. He showed up for our kids. And I really, really, really appreciate that. Our kids can see somebody like them. They can see theirel in
019that position. And that's important, right? So, as we continue to go on and and be a part of our community, we have to remember that. We have to remember like the the legacy that you put in. Um your Higer Knight person we right legacy we put in. And I just want to say as a friend, as someone that calls you and you're just so calm and cool, even when I'm like, "Yo, um Sue, he be like, it's okay. I got it." Right? He's never rattled, right? And sometimes I get rattled like Sue, this is he be like, "It's all right. We'll figure it out. We got this." Right? I want to say thank you wholeheartedly for giving your time, your effort away from your family, your kids. Your wife said it's her time now, right?
020Um for giving back to our community, being a mentor, and just being all you can be. And I really appreciate it. And I also want to say that our next suit who's a Nadium graduate, a friend of mine, my teammate, a person who has put sweat and blood, she got bruises on her knees for playing in this community, who has been rooting here. Her family has put in a lot of effort and time in this. Sis, I stand with you. Let's go. Our next speaker is uh Senator Rachel May. >> Thank you. Um commissioners and superintendent. And I have the third proclamation, but I have the biggest one. So that might be important, but it doesn't say anything that >> that Congressman Vanyions did. And I got to say, watching Congressman Minion read those that
021fine print was pretty amazing. Um, so I'll just speak from my heart and say what an honor and a pleasure it has been to see you in action playing every role in the every position in the infield and the outfield in the in the Syracuse school district over your lifetime and and going out in this position where you've made such a huge difference in the lives of so many children and their parents and so many uh teachers and staff. It's been really a beautiful thing to watch how you have, as everyone else has said, brought your heart to this job. And I'm also grateful that I've gotten to know your daughter-in-law, Vera, and her beautiful >> daughter and and your and two beautiful grandchildren. It's been really I I see that heart radiating out from
022you to your whole family. It is so beautiful. So, thank you for everything you've done and uh will do I know in the future. You have been just such a mench. I thank you. >> Thank you. I got quiet later. Our next speaker is county legislator Nadisha Hernandez. >> I'm not going to say Anthony Q. I'm going to say Mr. Davis. That's what I always called you. But Tamik, I feel you on that. Right. >> Wait, because All right, TD. I'm here to represent GTG2. TD, but I was always scared to ask what that um Q was. So, thank you, sister, because now we know what that Q means. Even though I'm still scared to say it. I'm not as brave as Tamika, but Anthony Davis. >> Senior. >> Yeah. >> Or else she talking
023to him. >> TD, that's more comfortable. TD you know I consider you family a friend and even though you don't believe this a mentor we are the same sign I am stubborn at times but I do listen to everything you say I hear it I take it in and I follow by it and that is a great thing I stand here today as a testimony of the work that you have done in Liverpool high school you were the counselor to my cousins my brother and my son. And as a single mother in Liverpool High School trying to navigate that school district with my son, you were a tremendous blessing and I want to say thank you for that. But when you left Liverpool, my son was easy, right? The twins came and I remember saying,
024"Oh my god, he's not there." But I remember the day sitting at beard and you walked in and such a relief came over because I knew that someone great from Liverpool was now in the Syracuse City School District again and to do great things and to be there for the children of the Syracuse City School District. So I wanted to say thank you for that because as a professional you also mentored me and helped me through the Syracuse City School District. We might need the timer for her. And I'm not going to read this because it literally says almost everything that everyone else says. No, I don't have the biggest, but I was able to get them to frame it because I didn't just folder. Yes. I said next year I'm going to try to
025put some money in the budget, get it a little bigger one, right? I did get the other one framed, too. But TD, we love you. We appreciate you. You are more than just a superintendent. Like counselor Rashidita Codwell said, you are family to all of us. And you know what else? You didn't forget about the east side. The east side is often forgotten about. And every time you was on the east side, I received a text saying, "I'm up here and I'm at the West Morland Center and we're giving out food." And that is a blessing for those children on the east side because like I say again, they're often left out. and you made sure you not just went to West Morland, you went to Thornon Park, too. Thank you for all the work
026that you do in our community. I just want to read the last line cuz there are 17 county legislators. I'm not often able to get everyone to agree to do something like this and all 17 agreed to come to let me come today with this for you. So resolve that leader Nadisia Hernandez and all the members of the Anadaga County Legislature do hereby recognize and honor Superintendent TD for his ser of service to students in our community. Thank you. All >> right. Our next speaker is counselor Amir Gathers. >> Whoa, whoa, whoa. That is not approved. >> I was actually shocked that I was actually asked to come speak because I was highly advised by TD not to say anything at all. >> Um, but it was too Um, but I'll save that for the
027retirement party. Um, however, I must say, uh, thank you for everything that you've done for this school district, for the community. We love you. We appreciate you. And you know how much I feel, you know how much love I have for you. And Cat told me to not say too much. And I'm going to respect what President Barnett said as well. But I got something to say at the retirement party. So, put me on the list and I keep it at that. Thank you. Appreciate you. Our next speaker is councelor Patrona Rouser. >> Sorry, >> I just wanted to say that um people everyone knows Anthony in multiple different ways and everything that was said is absolutely 100% true. But I'm going just say as Reverend Kathy Davis stated sometime in the church we say
028if it had not been for God but I wanted to just personally say if it had not been for Mr. Davis I would never have graduated high school. >> I did a stint a time when I was younger. I did a little high school tour and um until I learned how to um control my emotions um and during that tour I ended up at Beard School where Mr. Davis became my mentor and from there I was able to go on to Nottingham. >> All right. Well, it sounds like she had a tour, so I'm waiting for her to say Hineker. >> Well, but Oh, no. No. Hker was my first stop. They got rid of me. >> Um, and and at Nottingham, I um you know, I came with a reputation, you know, cuz y'all
029keep those little folders and stuff. So, and so, but I didn't know nobody at Ningham. I didn't have no friends. I had already made a decision I wasn't going to make any friends. And um because that was my last stop. And there was a uh not a pres um what is it? Superintendent or something at the school and not superintendent but no not a principal I don't know what she administr administer administrator and uh who seemed to want to nag at me all the time and every move I made she was Miss Jones where you supposed to be or what you supposed to do. I I'm not doing anything. I had to call Mr. Davis and let him know that Mrs. whoever was constantly on me for no reason. Mr. Davis said, "Patrona, don't worry
030about it. I got you." So, he came to the school, had a meeting with Miss whoever she is, and I never had a problem from that day forward. And I'm a proud graduate of Ningham High School, 1995. Yeah, we're the only >> um and so to that I say thank you for you, for the Lord, um and even for just you know constantly keeping hands because it was even I've been in your life ever since. So that's it's it's I I can't be more blessed than to to have you a part of my life. And to Miss Owens, I welcome your incoming um term and and uh and hope that you'll bring some of that same Well, not >> I'm sorry. What did I say? >> Owens. Owens. Okay. I'm sorry. ODM. Um um that
031you bring some of that same love, compassion, flare, um all of that to our students in the district. Okay. >> Thank you. What you what you all didn't hear was a president say how old are you? >> You said it was her mentor in elementary. Um our our ne our next speaker is STA President Nicole Cello. >> Good afternoon. He's smiling. That's a good sign. I was told this was a roast, so I don't I'm prepared. I'll be quick. Um, I just want to say congratulations and thank you. You shared with me a vision when you came in. Um, part of that vision was ensuring that there was partnership and collaboration amongst us and you certainly made that happen. The bigger part of your vision was ensuring that you bridge the gap between the community
032and our schools, which is an integral part of us being successful as educators and as a school district. And you have made that happen as well. your role model to a lot of our students, to most of our students. We can't thank you enough for that. We hope that in your next chapter, you will continue to bridge that gap for us and work within the community and our schools um so we can hold on to that and strengthen it. And we also hope that you find some relaxation and welldeserved rest and enjoyment. I think your wife is going to make sure of that. So, thank you for everything. Good luck and I'm sure we'll see you. >> Thank you. >> One of our final speakers will be former board president, commissioner, I think he back
033there, Mr. Derek Dorsey. There you go. There you go. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. I'm a cougar. >> Over there, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. School pride is incredible. Um it it takes a lot to get there, too. So, we we we we focused on building school pride and and culture and climate. Um three shout outs really quickly. Um to the board. Thank you for all of your sacrifice and effort and selection ability, right, to identify a person that can really handle the job, do the job, had the capacity to really take the the district in the direction that you wanted it to go. Um, secondly, like to give you your flowers. Congratulations. >> Thank you, sir. >> Job well done. >> I had never heard anybody call you TD before me. Really? Really?
034And that really but but TD thank you um for everything that you've done for our community. Um thinking thank you for being a product of the district as well, right? Because that sets an example. Um and I believe that children are our future. >> Teach them well and let No. >> Either way, show them all the >> You knew that was coming, right? And my my last shout out is to Pam Odum. Um congratulations. Uh, I sat in the big chair when we had you at uh, Clary and you turned that school around in a big way. So much so much so that when we had problems at Grant, we shipped you off to Grant to turn that school around as well. All right. So, I would just like to say to you, congratulations and
035um, you only have 30 more buildings to go. Thank you very much for the opportunity. >> I want to make sure I gave everybody an opportunity that wanted to say something to the superintendent to speak. Just want to make sure I didn't miss anybody cuz actually Patrona was sitting directly behind you. So I didn't see her until she did the little bobblehead. So I just want to make sure I I didn't miss anybody because there was quite a few people. Going once, going twice. All right. I want to save the board's proclamation for later because you guys out proclamationed us. You go ahead. Come on up to the mic. Out >> a lot. You didn't >> Thank you for acknowledging me. Uh I was going to be okay if I didn't say anything, but since
036you opened up the door, I was thinking of a uh a little boy who grew up Catholic and he had a best friend that was Baptist. And so he wanted to know a little bit more about his friend's religion. So he would go and visit the Baptist church, right? And so when he came back from visiting the Baptist church, he asked the little boy's mother, he says, "What does it mean when the preacher keeps saying over and over again, I'm getting ready to close?" And the mother said, "Not a damn thing." But but I I I feel I feel very very honored to be here tonight to witness how much this community loves you. You are so loved and it's because you're a person who loves people and I I feel a a certain um
037obligation because it was because of you that made me start looking closer at the enormous job of educating our children. And I started looking more candidly. When a friend gets in a position now, you start feeling what they feel. And you begin to understand the great weight of such a position. But you have given hope to so many young people when you rose and accepted this position. And I'll never forget it. We were sitting and talking. You were talking about your retirement. And I was saying, you know, you'll probably be a superintendent somewhere someday. And I remember your answer was, I ain't interested in that. And so I I I always felt like I had something to do with you taking this position, but our community has been so blessed because of you. We we
038were so hungry for what you brought. You brought commitment. You brought compassion. And I think that is a wonderful thing to have a leader who has parody with the people that they're responsible for. If you're going to deal with marginalized people, I think it helps if you know something about being marginalized. I think if you're going to deal with oppressed people, it helps if you know something about being oppressed. I think it helps if you understand what it means to have to climb. And it helps to have somebody who knows what it means to overcome enormous odds. You and your family have been such a gift to this community. And I I pray I pray that somehow or another the love that we show you will reciprocate all that you've meant to us. I thank
039you for that. I also remember when when we licensed your wife uh to preach and you asked me, you said, "Is there anything I can do to help?" And then again, I would say what the mother said to that little boy, "Not a damn thing." up against you all. >> Uh before >> before we proceed with the with the rest of the program, there's been a request that the counselors and some of the dignitaries want to picture with you before we go forward. >> Thank you. Can't you Brad will take them? I've been trying to get this thing out this envelope. >> Oh, okay. >> This is what happen when you got a bunch of bosses. Now, somebody else going to suggest you take it somewhere else. One, two, three, >> everybody. We do have
040light refreshments for after this board meeting if anybody likes to stick around. That's the picture. Oh, they're all jumping out the way. Look at them. Look at them run. I run out the door. >> Right. >> Yep. >> I don't know if they're still here. recognize staff for student achievements. >> Yes. >> Where we at? >> So we do have one we >> Excuse me, folks. We do have one recognition of a staff member. >> Ready? >> Sure. >> We would like to recognize Mr. Fiser. He is being given the Cougar Service Award. Corkran High School football coach Tyrone Fiser was recently presented with the school's very first Cougar Service Award. The award celebrates Coach Fischer's outstanding contributions to the football program, the student athletes, and the Corkran community. Coach Fiser has led the football
041program for 15 years, the longest tenure in school history. He mentors, inspires, and coaches the members of this program for success both on and off the field. Congratulations, Coach Fischer, and thank you to the Corkran alumni and friends of Corkran football for presenting him with this award. >> All right, Fish. >> All right. I'd like to ask for a motion to approve minutes as submitted. >> Second. Any any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Uh, I ask for a motion to accept the monthly financial reports as submitted. Second. Any discussion? Roll call vote. >> President Barnett. >> Yes. >> Vice President Rayford? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Billian? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bulock? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Cordano? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Hhabib? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Releford? >> Yes. Motion carry.
042Right. Uh we'll now hear from those visitors who wish to address the board and who filled out the appropriate card available near the entrance door to the boardroom. Speakers are asked to limit their comments to no more than 3 minutes. We're actually going to have the timer this time. Board policy 1510 does not permit in public session discussion involving individual district personnel or students. Persons wishing to discuss matters involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and/or concerns to the superintendent during regular business hours. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Obscene language, threats of violence, statements advocating racial, religious, or other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated. If you wish to speak and have not already submitted your blue card, please do so now as additional cards will
043not be accepted once the first speaker has concluded. The board is here to listen to all comments. However, we will not engage in dialogue with speakers during this meeting. Our first speaker is Jake uh Quiddool. Sorry if I >> That's Kovville. Thank you. >> Kovville. Yes. Got it. >> Thank you. Just going to start my timer as well to make sure. >> Oh, they gonna put it right up on the screens. All of them. >> Thank you. Members of the board of education and the superintendent of the Syracuse City School District. My name is Jake Quilty Kovville. This is my sixth year as a school counselor at Brighton Academy. I thank you for your time tonight and I thank Brighton Academy principal Peter Neeves for his commitment, his dedication, and in maintaining a culture and
044climate of academic success within the Brighton Academy community. I pray that the following agenda items, attendance and alternative programming are heard in love. At the start of each board meeting, a roll call to order of board members and attendance is taken. I asked the board directly, our fellow colleagues defaulted as present at time of roll call for each meeting. Why then are we defaulting our students as present for each of their class periods? We believe in kids first period. However, the slogan now becomes kids defaulted as present for their first, second, third, fourth, fifth, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th period, even when they are absent. To be blunt, defaulting students as present in each of their courses is unethical and unprofessional. To be blunt, defaulting a student mark present in just one course or the
045entire day is unethical and unprofessional. Buildings cannot see which students are present or absent for any specific day until the following day. Buildings cannot pull an attendance percentage report for any specific day until the following day. The liabilities are growing. Inaccurate attendance data that skews higher through defaulting students as present does not solve chronic absenteeism. I encourage board members and the superintendent to view Brighton Academy attendance data in comparison to their middle school cohort counterparts and ask why this data seems to be an outlier. As cliche as it sounds, we are building this plane as we are flying and won't get everything right the first time. I asked the board of education members and the superintendent, would you get on this plane? The statement was shared by an assistant superintendent of the Syracuse City School
046District regarding the closure of an alternative program formerly known as Oasis. I urge board members in the superintendent to call each of these families of students who are currently on this plane that is being built as it is flying. Quest is one budget line. Brighton Academy is one budget line. Both are separate yet housed in the same building. Quest students are not receiving adequate education under the Quest budget line. So the air traffic controller in this metaphor is making use of the Brighton Academy budget line. Quest teachers, deans, and principles receive a $7,500 stipen. It is ethically expected this same stipen be deposited into the teachers, deans, centuries, and principles of Brighton Academy staff accounts that are servicing Quest students without clear guidance from the air traffic controller. >> My door is always open. I
047look forward to each of you stopping by to talk more about attendance and alternative program. Thank you. >> Okay, so the president's report. I get to read the board's proclamation during the president's report because the public speaking section was filled with proclamations today. So on behalf of the board of education superintendent TD whereas Anthony Q. Davis senior has served the Syracuse city school district and his families continuously with great dedication. first as a teaching assistant in 1986, promoting up to a teacher in 1989, an administrative intern in 1996, and later as an assistant superintendent of secondary schools. And whereas Anthony Q. Davis, Senior, has served with distinction and honor as a superintendent of schools for the Syracuse City School District from July 1st, 2022 through October 31st of 2025. And whereas he is he has
048been an advocate for equitable distribution of resources supported initiative to improve district operations, curricula, policies, facility facilities, and district operations. He's helped develop professional and cooperative relationships with media, elected officials, and all stakeholders and groups. And whereas under his steady leadership, the district has seen great improvement in its attendance rate and in the completion of numeral capital improvement projects, most notably the opening of the Steam High School. And whereas throughout his tenure as superintendent of the schools, Mr. Davis have given unselfishly of his time and effort to ensure exceptional educational programming for the Syracuse community. Now therefore be it resolved that the commissioners of education on behalf of the staff, parents, students, and uh Syracuse City School District extend to Mr. Anthony Q senior TD their sincere appreciation of his years of exp exemplary service
049knowing that he will be missed as superintendent of schools but securing knowledge that he will continue to be an advocate for the children in the city of Syracuse. And be it further resolved that the district clerk of the board of education be is here directed to enter this resolution into the minutes for tonight's meeting. Congratulations That was your board. That was your >> That was your report. >> Um I think I got a couple other things. Um, we've been having quite a few things going on and the uh the district the board hosted a series of listening sessions where we actually got to connect with a lot of the employees and district personnel getting some feedback and just getting a deeper knowledge and understanding on how they feel and everything that's going on. I think
050it was well received. Um, and then the board appreciated, you know, being able to to take the time out to listen. Um, that's pretty much it. That's all I got. >> Okay. So it's I guess proclamation night because for my report we have two proclamations. One in recognition of principal month and then the second one is going to be recognition of school board recognition week. So >> deputy superintendent. >> Yes. So, the office of the board of education and the superintendent of schools would like to share this proclamation for national principles month. Whereas, the Syracuse City School District proudly recognizes and supports its hardworking principles by recognizing the month of October 2025 as National Principles Month. Whereas these leaders play a vital role in shaping the futures of our students, influencing the course of our
051educational system and strengthening the fabric of our communities. Whereas the dedication and commitment of a principal may at times go unnoticed, yet their leadership is essential to ensuring the smooth and successful operation of a school. Whereas principles establish the academic tone within their schools and through their vision, perseverance and guidance, they inspire staff to strive for excellence and advance student achievement. Whereas we express our gratitude to principles for their unwavering dedication, outstanding leadership and profound impact on student success and we honor them for their tireless pursuit of excellence in education. Now therefore, the board of education and Anthony Q. Davis, senior superintendent of the Syracuse City School District, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as principal month and commend its observance to all district employees. I think the full board might want a picture if I
052can say that, but I'm going to read this first. Um yes time >> this proclamation is school board recognition week whereas school board recogni rec recognition week is celebrated annually across New York state as an opportunity to acknowledge and thank board members for their steadfast service and dedication to students. Whereas the members of the Syracuse City School District Board of Education provide strong leadership in guiding public education and are deeply committed to the success and well-being of every child in our community. Whereas board members give families and community stakeholders a meaningful voice in shaping educational policies and decisions that impact students futures. Whereas through their vision and governance, board members work to advance student achievement by setting clear goals, aligning resources and policies with district priorities, fostering a culture of learning, ensuring accountability, and supporting
053continuous improvement throughout the district. Now, therefore, Anthony Q. Davis, superintendent of Syracuse City School District. Be it resolved that October 13th through the 17th of 2025 be proclaimed School Board Recognition Week, a time to recognize our school board members whose commitment makes a difference in the lives of children in the city of Syracuse. We have a small token of appreciation for the commissioners and we will share that with Eileene. >> All right. We just got all sorts of stuff going on today. Oh, you bought the y'all got the newborn. >> Can somebody probably take that photo for him so they all can be in it? >> Yeah. There you go, Brad. Brad got you. >> Get ready for the countdown. >> Yeah, he counts down from three sometimes. >> One, two, one more. One, two,
054and three. Got one more phone. One, two, three. >> Good job, Brad. >> All right. >> We're almost done, guys. We're almost done. We got cake in the back. Are there any commissioners that uh would like to bring anything up for discussion at this time? Thank you for your service. I have the pleasure of working with you as a colleague back in the district in your superintendent or your assistant superintendent position and it's just been a pleasure and thank you for all that you've done. >> Yes. I would like to say that I've learned so much from you and your student first, the kids first is an example that will carry me through forever. And thank you for putting up with me when I put my foot in my mouth. You're really gracious about it.
055And I feel like um it's a I it is my privilege that I got to work with you. So, thank you. Um, I've had um one goal and um that one goal started back when you left the district and um he told us that he would never come back and I and I bet him and he came back. So um I just want to say that was my one goal. It was you and Willie Daell, two powerful men that needed to be around our kids so they could see themselves in the role that you were playing and be able to achieve high goals. So, I just want to thank you for all your service, what you did. I want to commend you on what you did to bring to bring the steam school to the
056to opening. Um because for a while, we didn't think it was going to open. For a while, it was looking. So, um just staying on it and being who you are. Just thank you. I would ditto that as well. Um, Anthony Q Davis, senior, um, it was great as a colleague. One thing I always could remember whenever you came out to the high schools and to visit the high schools, you always had a smile on your face. You spoke to everybody and you really have no idea how that made especially teachers or any staff feel when you came out and you spoke to them and took the time out to just have a conversation and that truly was a a wonderful thing. So, as a colleague back in the day, but not too long ago,
057and and more so than on the board, I really I want to thank you as well for that to make that you made us feel like we were somebody as well. So, I appreciate that as an individual and I know a lot of other teachers and people in the schools also appreciate that. >> I want to say I don't know exactly how old you are, but So, >> you've done a lot and it takes it takes No, seriously, it's and then listening to all the different proclamations with different things that you've done and different lives that you've touched. Like, so when I asked you during all of the speeches, how old are you? Like, it wasn't an insult because you've accomplished so much. And honestly, I met you as I met Anthony Q. Davis senior
058once you became the superintendent. And it was nice to see the multiple the different sides of you and aspects and how you lead in multiple examples in your life. Um I I think that like it's important like your visibility in a community. You're the second superintendent that I've been on the board with and both of you guys did an amazing job in your own ways. You were everywhere. Like you people had access to you. You were outside of our buildings, outside of the schools. It wasn't about just going to games. And then most importantly, which is my pet peeve, you showed up to events in places that were not political events. Like you were there solely for the people so that the kids can see you there. You knew who won the game. You knew
059who scored. You knew a lot of kids by name, which I Yeah, that was wild. Um, but it's just overall like it was overall a success successful experience having you as our superintendent. And hopefully we can um Well, I know I'm not going to say goodbye. I'm going to say I'll see you later because there's always work to be done. So, we appreciate you. >> Yeah. >> So, um I just would like to say that since I've been here, it has been great to see your consistency. Um you've been consistent and you've been persistent. Um and that is something that we all needed to see. We all um knew that when you said something, it was going to happen. We all knew when you said you were going to be there, you were going to
060be there. And you were just original. Like as much as TD could be or Superintendent Anthony Q. Davis could be, you were just yourself and people could see you just being who you were. Like you didn't you could tell it was from the heart and you made everybody feel welcome. You made everyone feel like they mattered. You stood you stood there and you listened and they could tell you were really listening, you know, and not listening to be heard, but listening to them. and you had this ability to speak to people um in ways that made them feel like they were just as you know what I mean never made anybody feel small um and so I would see how you would lean down and listen to the kids my son gravitated to him and
061he was there at your son was all over the place and TD kind of put him in check like that was that was nice like that was that was TD wearing his many hats cuz he turned into a father immediately as soon as her son was ripping and running at that school that was a Listen, titties scooped him right up and had him in. I got this. Go ahead. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. >> So, yes. So, I just want to say that just thank you for that. Emerald's a little upset because you you know, she'll just invite you to the graduation party, but she leave it at that. But just thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you just for being you. >> I came prepared to have a speech. >>
062Oh, can you put the timer? >> Oh, we need the timer. You know what? You earned it. You don't really say much. Go ahead. Go ahead. Have your time and shine. >> All right. I want to take the moment to thank you, Superintendent, for your leadership and commitment to bringing our district back in the right direction. Under your guidance, we've seen real progress, not just in numbers, but in spirit. You're g you've given this district hope again. You brought stability and accountability and pride back to our schools. You made our employees feel value. Our students excited to learn again in our community. So felt welcome to come back to where they belong to. I know that you've always been deeply invested in our schools and in this community. That's what makes your leadership so special
063because your heart has always been here and even as you transition forward, I know you are still one call or one text message for me away because you truly care about the district and the people in it. I always I also want to thank you for molding and preparing our next superintendent PM ODM. You pass the baton with grace and confidence and I know she will continue the great work you started. Superintendent Davis, your impact will continue to be felt long after tonight. I'm confident that history will remember you as one of the best superintendents Syracuse has ever had. A leader who brought hope, healing, and unity back to our schools. Thanks for everything and thank you for our community, our students, and our staff. Black Knight out. >> That's how you That's how you
064end the speech right there. There's gonna be a whole lot of barking going on. I just I'm not prepared for no all this barking. >> All right. So, so got anything you want to say? >> No, you don't have to. >> I'm like that, too. Tony tries to make me speak sometimes at places. >> Nope. Oh, I forgot to mention we had the uh the board of regents here and Commissioner Rosa and the chancellor and they went into our buildings. They toured the Steam School. And what I really like about their tour to Steam School is we had a panel of students that was actually able to give them real-time information and like what they like about being at the Steam School. And they had a lot to say and so they they you know
065it was a public speaking. They did really well. Like we had a couple I think one of the panelists they had five panelists, a couple were from the city schools and I think a couple were from the county. And there the one kid like after the panel he came up to me. He was like this this is really great. Some people don't get this experience to like integrate and intermingle with so many different people until you're in your 20s. He's like, I'm getting this at 14 and 15. He's like, I'm all the way from like, you know, he was he was from far out. And I'm like, okay. And he said he really appreciated the the opportunity to go to school with kids in the inner city and to go to school for something that
066he's interested in. So, it was really nice to listen to the students in the steam school cuz I was also there on the first day of school and I saw the fear in their eyes. It's like it was excitement, it was fear, like they didn't really know what was what, but they they got accustomed to that building really well and everything was rolling and they they spoke very confidently. They knew they know exactly what they want and they had the right people in the room listening to them. >> So, it was it was an amazing experience that I wasn't really sure what I was into, but then while I was there, it was it was pretty it was pretty amazing. So, >> that's it. All right, we only got like back to business. Um, the
067superintendent will for the last time present the agenda items. >> President Barnett, commissioners, I'd like to recommend approval of the resolutions in the items 9.1 through 9.10 as a consent agenda. >> So move. >> Second. >> Oh, can I ask for a motion? >> I'll move. >> Second. >> Um, all in favor? >> I. Any discussion? No, no discussion. Any opposed? I'm sorry because I really wanted a discussion for that one because I wanted to ask if he could still call me President Barnett AFTER YOU. >> Any oppose? >> Go ahead. 10.1. >> All right. >> I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled submission of grant proposals. Can >> I have a motion? Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Well, guys, nyl. >>
068Okay. I ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> Discussion. I absolutely have discussion. This is your last board meeting. It makes me very sad. And then your first one is next month. Like it's a huge time for the district. It's a huge transition. And I think that everything is going to be amazing. >> Agreed. I I really I have strong feelings that everything is really going to be amazing. It's gonna be a nice transition. Just Bulldogs just can you don't come in barking y'all barking from the sideline. Um but I I look forward to the transition as uh Commissioner Bulock said you you really passed the baton and it's the only way it's all the way up from here. >> All right. >> Thank you to everyone. >> All in
069favor? I >> Any opposed? Nope. >> All right. This meeting is adjourned. We have we have taken it back. I guess.