APS super stepping down
By Mike D’Agruma
AKRON — In 1970, Sylvester Small began his career with the Akron Public Schools (APS) District as a substitute teacher. He said he was disappointed he didn’t have a full-time job with the school system at the time but knew he would one day realize his goal of landing one.
Surrounded by APS Board of Education members almost 38 years later, the former substitute teacher announced his retirement as the school system’s superintendent at a press conference Nov. 5 at the Akron Board of Education Administration Building. His effective retirement date will be July 31. He has held the position since 2001.
“It has been a privilege to live in this wonderful community, attend its schools and spend my entire adult life working about something which I am passionate,” Small said. “My goals have been to always provide our children with the best. During my tenure as superintendent, together we have raised the bar for all of our students.
“However, there is still much to do,” he added. “Unfortunately, I will not be along for the rest of the journey.”
Small, a lifelong Akron resident
and graduate of APS schools, began his career with the
district as a substitute, but progressed through the
ranks as a full-time teacher, assistant principal, principal,
urban demonstration project teacher, social studies
curriculum specialist, coordinator of pupil services
and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction
before his appointment
to the school system’s top spot.
During his tenure, the district
has moved from “Academic Emergency” to “Continuous
Improvement” on the state of Ohio School Report
Card and now has more than 6,000 students who perform
at the “advanced or accelerated level,”
according to Board President Linda Kersker. In addition,
Kersker spoke on other Small-led initiatives, including
the district’s $800 million building program;
the establishment of strong partnerships with The University
of Akron, the city and faith-based organizations to
offer new programming; the renewal of financial stability;
the fulfillment of APS’ Contract with the Community;
the construction of a strong team of individuals to
carry on Small’s vision; and APS being identified
as an exemplary urban school district.
“I would be talking for
half an hour if I tried to list all the accomplishments
that occurred under his leadership in this district,”
Kersker said.
Board Vice President
Linda Omobien, who will chair
the search committee for Small’s replacement along
with board member the Rev. Curtis Walker, spoke on the
search timeline the district will tentatively abide
by. According to Omobien, the board will enter into
a consulting contract with the Ohio School Boards Association
to assist in the process. She said public input will
be vital to the search, which, according to the timeline
presented, would culminate in a candidate in place and
ready to begin work Aug. 1.
Small said he purposely made
his retirement announcement early to give the district
enough time to name a successor. He added he would be
on hand to help ensure a smooth transition from the
end of his tenure and the beginning of the next.
“It’s not about
me; it’s about the children,” Small said.
“I’ve always wanted to do my best for the
district. You never want to get to the point where you
can’t keep up with 14- and 18-hour days. So I
never wanted to be in the position where I stayed too
long and began cheating
the children — because our children deserve the
best.”
With regards to his future,
Small said he has no definite work plans and that for
now, his retirement allows him more flexibility in his
personal life. In addition, he said although his wife
lives in Florida and he commutes back-and-forth, he
will keep his home and remain an Akron resident.
But the man referred to by board
members as a “gentle giant” and “the
real-life Atticus Finch” (a main character from
Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”)
did indicate he would like to volunteer at a school
and continue working with children.
Board member James Hardy said
he wasn’t surprised. The 2002 graduate of Firestone
High School recalled memories he had of Small reaching
out to him when he was 5 years old — when Small
was the principal of Buchtel High School, and Hardy
was helping his mother prepare the school’s English
department for the upcoming year by organizing books,
with one being “To
Kill a Mockingbird,” he said.
“Just like in the end
of that story, we’re going to stand — because
a legend is passing,” Hardy said. “And it’s
not everyday that you have somebody of Sylvester’s
commitment and stature come through our midst. ... It’s
really remarkable when someone gives that kind of time
and energy to one organization and it’s overwhelmingly
positive. He’s going to be a hard act to follow.”
APS Superintendent Sylvester Small publicly announced his retirement at a Nov. 5 press conference at the Akron Board of Education Administration Building. Photo: Mike D’Agruma
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