Anibal Soler informs staff he's likely to become new superintendent in Schenectady
Eighteen months into his tenure as Batavia City School District superintendent, Anibal Soler informed city schools staff this morning that he is the final candidate to become superintendent of schools in Schenectady.
"Once I am officially appointed, I will be working with the Board of Education on a transition plan to ensure the district is supported and ready to reopen in the Fall, Batavia Strong," Soler said in his letter.
In an interview this morning, Soler said it's bittersweet leaving Batavia where he thinks the district has moved forward during his time here but the opportunity in Schenectady fits his career aspirations.
"It's a larger district in a larger community," Soler said.
It also offers some significant challenges for an ambitious superintendent. The graduation rate there is 68 to 70 percent, much lower than Batavia's 90 to 94 percent, and Schenectady has a couple of schools in receivership, which are "persistently struggling" schools.
"It wasn't an easy decision," Soler said. "I thought about it a long time and this fits my aspirations to do good things for more students."
There are 9,750 students in the Schenectady district. There are 2,283 students in Batavia.
Soler will step into a district roiled by controversy and facing a $7.8 million lawsuit by its former superintendent, Larry Spring.
The claim alleges Spring was "coerced" to resign a year ago based on what he insists were false sexual harassment and workplace retaliation allegations made by a female employee, and that the district subsequently breached a confidentiality agreement by allegedly sharing materials concerning the claims against Spring with the media.
Soler said he was aware of the situation but knew no more about it than what has been reported in news sources. He then shifted the discussion to the bigger challenge of the academic issues in the district.
Soler has not officially resigned. He informed the school board and the staff of his position as the finalist in Schenectady because his potential appointment is being made public in that community today. Once the Schenectady board approves his appointment -- the vote is Wednesday -- Soler will formally resign from Batavia City Schools and begin working with the board and staff on a transition.
The Batavia City School District Board of Trustees recently approved a contractually scheduled 2-percent raise for Soler along with a one-year contract extension, extending the agreement to 2024. Soler was expected to make $164,800 in 2021-22.
After more than eight years with the Schenectady district, Spring was earning $205,000 a year at the time of his resignation.
Letter:
Good morning Batavia Staff,
I hope your summer recess has kicked off to an amazing start and you are finding time to rest, rejuvenate and recharge. I am writing to let you know that today it will be announced that I have been selected as the next permanent candidate for Superintendent of Schools in the Schenectady City School District in Schenectady, NY.
This was not an easy decision given all that we have endured and achieved in my short tenure. I want to first thank the Batavia Board of Education for their continuous support and understanding. Once I am officially appointed I will be working with the Board of Education on a transition plan to ensure the district is supported and ready to reopen in the Fall, Batavia Strong.
It has truly been my honor and privilege to serve the children and families of Batavia for the past year and a half. I thank the many parents, community members and countless committed educators and staff members, who have offered their unwavering encouragement, resources, and expertise on behalf of children. What we accomplished during a pandemic is commendable and will never be something I will forget. In addition, working with the dedicated individuals on the leadership team and staff who also comprise the Batavia School Board has been equally rewarding.
Most importantly, I thank the students of Batavia, for demonstrating their talents, resilience, persistence, and skills to all of us during what has been a difficult time. The work we accomplished across the district includes experiences that I will take with me as I embark on this new opportunity.
I am extremely proud of the work we accomplished together during my time in Batavia City Schools. Behind each of these accomplishments lies the hard work and dedication of the exceptional Leadership Team in the district.
These are but a few of those achievements and highlights:
- Developed a strong Reopening Plan in the Fall of 2020.
- No layoffs or mid-year cuts in staff during pandemic despite ongoing threat from Governor’s Office regarding a 20% reduction.
- Stayed open five days a week throughout the majority of 2020-21 school year for our English Language Learners, Special Education, and at-risk students.
- Reopened schools for the last 10 weeks to 5 days of in-person learning.
- All of our student-athletes were able to have a sports season this year.
- 2019-20 Budget: Closed $2 million deficit & 0% Tax Increase - 63% Community Approval.
- 2020-21 Budget: Adopted with 0% Tax Increase and no impact on staff/ programs - 82% Community Approval.
- The 2020-21 Budget includes fully funded appropriated & unappropriated reserve funds.
- Graduation rate for 2016-20 Cohort 93% (June) Cohort 94% (August) - 2% point growth from the previous cohort. Estimated to be higher for 2017-21 Cohort.
- Served 500,000 meals to our community since March 2020.
- Opened the new Family and Community Engagement Center at Robert Morris.
- Launched a Community Schools Initiative that focuses on equity, opportunity and family.
- Implemented a Strategic Planning Process - that will help guide the district forward for years to come.
- Adopted Policy 8140, Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education - which will create systemic structures and practices to ensure ALL kids are supported.
- District-wide Equity Journey.
- Grants Awarded:
- My Brother’s Keeper Family & Community Engagement Grant - $500,000 (4 year Grant).
- Extended School Day/ School Violence Prevention Grant - $1.75 million (5 year Grant).
- Built a new state of the art playground at Jackson Primary School.
- Assisted in adding an eSports Program at BHS in partnership with Daemen College.
- Successfully Negotiated contracts for the Batavia Custodial Department, Batavia Administrative Association and IT Department.
- Energy Performance Contract Initiated that will bring operational savings to the district.
- Completed an updated Building Condition Survey of all district facilities.
- Implemented new website management and communication platform - Thrillshare by Apptegy.
- Added a new critical executive position to the organization overseeing Human Resources, labor relations and personnel matters.
I wish much-continued success for Batavia and the Batavia City School District. Batavia will always hold a special place in my heart as the district of my first Superintendency. I will, at the pleasure of the Board, spend my remaining time ensuring and assisting in a smooth transition in order to maintain the positive momentum that has begun.
Enjoy your holiday weekend.
