The Utica City School District’s mission is to ensure that all students succeed and are well-rounded, with knowledge, skills, and character to be productive members of society.
The district’s vision is that students can reach their goals and find academic success through a variety of pathways and with different levels of support.
About the Utica City School District:
The Utica City School District serves a community of approximately 64,500 city residents in an urban and multi- cultural environment with a current enrollment of roughly 9,644 students in its 13 schools __ Proctor High School, Donovan Middle School, JFK Middle School and 10 elementary schools. The District’s greatest asset is its diversity, with more than 50 languages spoken and 16% of students being English language learners.
Elementary - The District’s elementary schools integrate a vibrant curriculum across all grade levels and subject areas, aligning with the New York State Learning Standards. The District is also investing in the realignment of math goals, instruction and curriculum to focus on research-based best practices in mathematics that are proven to increase student performance outcomes. In all subject areas, there is an understanding that developing foundational skills will support students in bridging gaps in learning. Students are provided with a well-rounded curriculum focused on fostering academic and social/emotional competencies that will carry them through their academic career.
Middle School - The focus at the District’s middle schools is to ensure that students are provided with equitable opportunities to successfully transition from elementary to high school. Both middle schools offer opportunities for students to succeed at every learning level, with dedicated classes for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, as well as honors/advanced studies. The Family and Career Sciences and Technology programs have incorporated science, technology, engineering and math topics into each curriculum to help prepare students for the Career and Technical Education opportunities available at the high school.
High School - Proctor High School provides numerous avenues for students to achieve the District’s vision. This is accomplished through supportive and adaptive special education and English language learner programming, a robust honors and Advanced Placement curriculum, and partnerships with post-secondary institutions including Mohawk Valley Community College and Syracuse University’s Project Advance. The District most recently embarked upon a groundbreaking initiative working with community and business partners to create innovative Career and Technical Education programming for its high school students. Proctor’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (NJROTC), music, art and drama programs, along with numerous extracurricular activities and athletics, offer additional avenues to showcase students’ talents and interests and support them throughout their school experience.
Qualifications: N.Y.S. Certification as a School Social Worker
Salary Range: $42,086-95,002, as per U.T.A. Contract
The starting salary ranges from $42,086 (without a master's degree) to $45,011 (with master's degree). Consideration of additional compensation may be given for graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's or master's degree and for years of certified experience. The current Utica Teachers’ Association contract salary range, depending on years of teaching and level of education, reaches a maximum salary of $110,490 for the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, teachers are afforded the opportunity to earn above base salary if they choose to participate in
- extended learning time programs
- additional class coverages
- summer programming opportunities
- act as club advisors and/or coaches.
The Utica City School District offers a comprehensive benefits package.
The Utica City School District is a longstanding recipient of the Teachers of Tomorrow Grant, which provides financial incentive for new hires.
The School Social Worker is basically concerned with helping children who experience serious behavioral, emotional, or learning problems in the school setting. His/her efforts are directed toward mobilizing not only strengths within the child and parents/guardians, but also the resources of school personnel and the community. He/her is a valuable member of the Pupil Personnel team and is the liaison between school, home and community.
Among the activities and functions of the school social worker that help prevent or alleviate the social dysfunctioning of children in school are the following:
1) Provides intensive casework services to the child referred for help, assists him/her to acquire a greater understanding of himself/herself and his/her situation and to use this understanding to improve his/her adjustment in school.
2) Interviews parents/guardians about the child and helps them to understand the school, its
personnel and programs as these relate to the child.
3) Helps parents/guardians with their own problems or refers them to community resources
particularly as these problems adversely affect the child.
4) Prepares parents/guardians or child for referral to adjustment services and resources in
the community.
5) Explores the home and neighborhood environment of the child and reports his/her findings
to school personnel.
6) Serves as a consultant to the principal, teacher and other pupil personnel workers
concerning problems of adjustment of individual pupils.
7) Prepares summaries for referral to social agencies or specialists in the community.
8)Participates with other school personnel in case conferences for the total evaluation of
the child.
9)Keeps records and submits periodic reports of school activity, conferences, home contacts
and referrals to specialists and community agencies.
10)Serves as liaison for PINS Diversionary Program.
11)Serves as an abuse/neglect reporter.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer which fully and actively supports equal access for all regardless of Race, Color, Weight, National Origin, Ethnic Group, Religion, Religious Practice, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender, Age, Veteran Status or Genetic Information.