The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a significant leadership transition. Anthony Davis officially ended his tenure as superintendent on October 31, with his deputy, Pam Odom, stepping into the role. The change comes just two months into the new school year, a move designed to ensure a smooth handover and maintain stability within the district.
Odom, a graduate of the district's Nottingham High School, brings a lifetime of experience to the position, having worked her way up from a teaching assistant. Her appointment marks a continuation of the district's current strategy, focusing on community engagement and academic improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony Davis retired as Syracuse City School District Superintendent on October 31.
- Deputy Superintendent Pam Odom, a district graduate, has been appointed as the new superintendent.
- The transition was planned to be seamless, avoiding a disruptive mid-year search.
- Odom's priorities include tackling chronic absenteeism, improving literacy and math skills, and expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs.
- Davis will remain involved with the district in a consulting capacity, mentoring new high school administrators.
A Planned and Purposeful Transition
The timing of Anthony Davis's retirement, just a couple of months into the 2025-26 academic year, was a deliberate choice. According to Davis, the decision was driven by two key factors. First, he wanted to oversee the opening of the district's new STEAM school, a major community project. Second, he believed an early-year transition would be less disruptive than one in December, particularly for backfilling positions and maintaining momentum.
When Davis initially accepted the superintendent role, he informed the Board of Education that his tenure would likely be around three years. This foresight led to the creation of the deputy superintendent position, which Pam Odom filled. The goal was to groom an internal successor who understood the district's ongoing initiatives.
"It’s very difficult for a district our size to start over every two or three years," Davis explained. "So we wanted to make sure we had somebody in place that understood everything that was happening and why."
This internal promotion strategy has been designed to provide stability. Rather than conducting a lengthy and potentially disruptive nationwide search, the district has elevated a leader who is already deeply familiar with its students, staff, and challenges.
A New Leader with Deep Syracuse Roots
Pam Odom's journey to the superintendent's office is a story of local dedication. A graduate of Nottingham High School, her career within the Syracuse City School District began as a teaching assistant. Over the years, she has held various roles, culminating in her position as deputy superintendent alongside Davis.
Odom expressed both humility and excitement about leading the district where she was once a student. "I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to be the next superintendent in the Syracuse City School District," she stated, publicly thanking the board for their confidence in her.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Odom has outlined a clear vision centered on student success and opportunity. Her primary goals include:
- Reducing Chronic Absenteeism: Odom emphasized that if students are present in school, it is the district's responsibility to educate them effectively.
- Boosting Academic Skills: A continued focus on improving literacy and numeracy goals is a core part of her plan.
- Expanding Career Pathways: The district currently offers over 40 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Odom plans to continue strengthening these programs, giving students the choice to pursue college or enter the workforce directly after graduation.
Focus on Career Readiness
The Syracuse City School District provides students with access to more than 40 distinct Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This initiative allows high schoolers to gain practical skills and certifications, preparing them for immediate employment or specialized post-secondary education.
Odom believes these focus areas are critical to providing an equitable education for all children in the district. "These are huge, huge opportunities for students and we’re going to continue to focus on these areas," she affirmed.
Engaging the Community for Feedback
A cornerstone of the leadership approach under both Davis and Odom is active community engagement. Odom has already been heavily involved in outreach efforts to gather feedback from all stakeholders, a practice she intends to continue as superintendent.
The district has held numerous community conversations to share highlights and listen to concerns. These sessions have provided valuable insights from parents and residents. Odom noted that the biggest takeaway was simple: people want their voices to be heard.
"People want to be able to share not only the concerns and issues, but highlights. We’re going to continue to do that," Odom said.
In addition to public forums, the leadership team has visited schools to speak directly with students and teachers. Odom is also hosting "Meet the Superintendent" nights specifically for district employees to provide their feedback. She credits Davis with setting this collaborative tone, stating, "He’s led by example, and I will continue to lead that way."
Davis Reflects on His Tenure and Future Role
As he steps down from the top post, Anthony Davis is not leaving education entirely. He will transition into a consulting role with the district, leveraging his expertise in secondary and high school administration. His primary function will be to mentor the new generation of young administrative talent coming up through the ranks.
The Importance of Mentorship
Davis's new role highlights a growing trend in educational leadership: retaining experienced administrators to guide new leaders. This practice helps ensure continuity of vision and provides invaluable support for principals and other staff who are new to their roles, preventing knowledge gaps during leadership transitions.
When asked about his proudest accomplishments, Davis pointed to two things. The first was his personal connection to the students. As a graduate of Henninger High School, he cherished being able to tell students, "I sat in the same seats that you did."
The second major highlight for Davis was witnessing the reunification of the district and the broader community. "At one point I think it was very separate. But, I look around these days and everyone’s trying to help educate our students," he reflected. "I think that’s been the most impactful thing that we’ve done, to bring them both back together again."
With Odom now at the helm, the Syracuse City School District is positioned to build on this foundation of community partnership and academic focus, led by a superintendent who has experienced the system from nearly every possible angle.
