As the largest coalition of organizations lead by people of color in the city of Utica, NY, the Black Leadership Coalition ( BLC) of Utica, NY, is comprised of over 12 profit and not for profit groups who have come together to work on common concerns in the City of Utica. The Coalition has been working together for over 6 years and have collectively addressed poignant issues that have far reaching impact on people of color specifically and all Uticans in general. The Black Leadership Coalition have hosted town hall meetings in the past which included school districts remedial programs, police use of force, grant availability to grassroots organizations, etc..
The Black Leadership Coalition of Utica is very concerned about the efforts put forth by the Utica City School Board to give every student a real opportunity to learn, grow and become productive citizens. Historically speaking, prior efforts to raise the educational performance of all students in the district was less than genuine. There was an absence of structural programs that added additional class time, additional instruction and tutorial time and a commitment to the students who needed the most help. Resources, notwithstanding, their was an absence of vision that would address the students with the most deficiencies and or opportunities to improve their academic progress. Moreover, What resources their were, were seemingly diverted to other uses and the students who needed it the most were ignored.
After reviewing the work of Dr. Spence, the current superintendent of the Utica Ciry School District, we are pleased with his new innovatives and innovations that address the needs of all students in the district. Furthermore, we are ecstatic with his additional school hours and plans to assist students and families during the summer months. An example of Dr. Spence’s approach is his extended learning hours in the district, the Raider’s Extended Day (RED) Program serving 800+ students (K-6). This program is helping students, who through no fault of their own, needs additional help in catching up with their counterparts. The district is also currently showing academic growth. Growth such as ELA proficiency increased from 31% to 40% and Math proficiency increased from 36% to 41%.. This is a historical gain for our school district andfor our students.We believe that Dr. Spence is transforming the Utica City School District organizationally andacademically. His work is demonstrating a vision that encompasses a pathway forward to meaningful citizenship for all the students of Utica city school district. It is for these and other numerous articulable reasons, that we think Dr. Spence continued presence as Superintendent of the Utica city school district is paramount. The continuity of the vision and direction of Dr. Spence is imperative for the continued improvement of the Utica city school district. Hence, an extension of dr. Spence’s contract is imperative.
The Black Leadership Coalition of Utica understands the pivotal role education plays in the development and success of, our youth, our communities and our city. Dr. Spence has become the stabilizing force in our city school district and we must do everything in our power as a community an organization, a school board and a growing city, to retain him well into the future.
Sincerely;
Jawwaad Rasheed
President,
Black Leadership Coalition of Utica
