HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A motion to consider new applicants for Harrisburg School District’s assistant superintendent position failed Tuesday.
The motion was “an unusual kind of motion,” said district solicitor Jeffrey Sultanik. Harrisburg’s assistant superintendent is an elected office that faces reelection before the board after each term, he said.
Marisol Craig has served in the role since 2022. Before then, she spent 20 years with the district as a teacher and then director of virtual learning.
State law required the board to notify Craig 90 days before her term ends whether or not it will consider new candidates. However, because the motion failed by a 4-4 vote, Craig’s contract will extend for another year.
Craig said during the meeting that she received no communication from the board and that the motion to potentially have her reapply surprised her.
“This is where I have dedicated the majority of my career,” Craig said. “It would mean a great deal for me to finish that journey here in Harrisburg.”
The motion drew a fierce response from staff and students who see Craig as a role model in a district where 45% of students are Latino. She was honored earlier this month by the Pennsylvania Latino Convention for her work in public education.
Jadiel Ayuso, a senior at John Harris, credited Craig for making him a better student after she secured funding to send him to the National Hispanic Institute’s Great Debate, a development program for students who aspire to civic leadership roles.
“Without Dr. Craig here, I wouldn’t be in this position,” Ayuso said. “As a Puerto Rican student, I take a lot of inspiration from her.”
Many of the people who spoke at the meeting said Craig’s departure would create a void for Latino leadership and representation in the district.
“You taking her title, taking her out of this position, I would like to know how you will support our Latino kids?” asked Yanire Rodriguez.
Sultanik, the solicitor, said during the meeting that the board has received proposals to end the assistant superintendent position entirely as part of district reorganization efforts. He added they have not yet considered that option, and will no longer be able to for another year.
