Superintendent announces retirement at end of school year

North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education President Michael Shusda announced today Superintendent of Schools Annette Speach, will be retiring effective June 30, 2019. The Board of Education will formally accept the superintendent’s retirement resignation at its November 19th meeting.

Speach made a public announcement to district staff during her November 6 Superintendent’s Conference Day address. “Please know the North Syracuse Central School District and all of you will always be a part of me. I feel blessed to have had such a rewarding career…as teacher, principal, HR administrator and most recently superintendent,” said Speach during her remarks.

“I am blessed to have been your leader, blessed for the support of this community and most of all blessed over the years with the students we serve. I am not here to say goodbye, I am here to say we have one more year together. Please join me in making it the best year yet,” she continued.

The Board of Education will meet over the next weeks and months to discuss the search for a new superintendent. Board President Shusda said, “It is with tremendous gratitude and sadness that we announce we have received the resignation of Superintendent Speach. She has been an incredible champion for our students and this entire community. She and her leadership will be sorely missed. The Board will be meeting soon to discuss our next steps in finding the right replacement for our district.”

Annette Speach has served as superintendent of schools for the North Syracuse Central School District since December of 2013. She also served as interim superintendent from July of 2013 until her permanent appointment. Before serving in the district’s highest leadership role, Ms. Speach worked as the head of Human Resources and as a principal and teacher. She began her tenure with the district in 1985 and has maintained her employment in the North Syracuse Central School District for nearly 35 years. 

Board President Shusda said of Speach’s tenure, “Her dedication to the North Syracuse Central School District, our students and our families is simply unparalleled. The knowledge and understanding she has gained over almost 35 years of service is something that will be difficult to replace. On behalf of the Board, our students and this great community, we offer our thanks to Annette for her tremendous service.”