Community urges board to retain Assistant Superintendent Marisol Craig; board fails to approve notification and her commission is extended

A packed public‑comment period at the Harrisburg City School District’s March 24 meeting focused on Assistant Superintendent Dr. Marisol Craig after the board considered an item under 24 P.S. §10‑1077B requiring notification at least 90 days before the expiration of a commissioned assistant superintendent’s term.

Legal context and solicitor explanation

District solicitor (identified in the transcript as Mr. Sultanic) explained that Section 1077B of the Public School Code requires boards to include on a public agenda, at least 90 days before an assistant superintendent’s term expires, an item requiring affirmative action to notify the incumbent that the board intends to consider other candidates. If the board fails to take that action at the required public meeting, the incumbent’s term is automatically extended for one year under the same conditions of the existing commission. The solicitor explained that a vote to “table” could have the practical effect of allowing the one‑year extension if the board does not revisit the item before the statutory deadline.

Public comments and community response

More than two dozen speakers—current and former staff, parents, students, community leaders and representatives of local organizations—used their allotted three minutes to urge the board to retain Dr. Marisol Craig. Speakers credited Craig with 24 years of district service, programs that benefited students (including MTSS and school safety initiatives), outreach to Spanish‑speaking families, and leadership on student opportunities such as the Great Debate program. Multiple speakers framed the issue as one of representation: they said the district’s student body is roughly 45% Latino and stressed that losing the only Latina in central office leadership would damage trust, family engagement and student aspiration.

Representative comments included:

- Tamika Ferrar, school psychologist: “Representation matters… Dr. Craig is not only a steadfast advocate for all students. Her leadership and support to staff is immeasurable.”

- Jiala Yuso, a senior at John Harris: “As a Puerto Rican student, I take a lot of inspiration from her… Without Dr. Craig I wouldn’t be in this position.”

- Gloria Vasquez Merik, executive director, Latino Hispanic American Community Center: “Dr. Craig is the calming, reassuring presence in this administration… She is our seat at the table.”

Board action and outcome

The board considered a motion under 24 P.S. §10‑1077B to notify Dr. Craig that other candidates might be considered for the assistant superintendent office upon her term’s expiration June 30, 2026 (assuming the position remains in the organizational structure). A motion to table that item was made and seconded. The motion to table failed on roll call (recorded in the transcript as one yes, six no, one unanswered). The board then considered the underlying notification motion. That motion failed to carry on a roll‑call vote (four yes, four no, zero abstain). Because the board did not provide the affirmative notification required by Section 1077B before the statutory deadline, the solicitor and board chair confirmed the statutory fallback: Dr. Craig’s commission/term is extended one year under the same terms and conditions by operation of law.

What the vote means

Board members who spoke in favor of allowing the superintendent to choose a leadership team framed the item as an administrative reorganization prerogative. Board members and many public commenters asked for transparency and more time for a planned reorganization. Others objected to the timing and process and urged additional outreach. Several board members also said the process should have included further discussion so that staff were not left in limbo.

Next steps and context

District administration indicated a reorganization plan is under development and may be brought to the board in April or May for changes effective July 1. Because the board did not fulfill the 1077B notification requirement at the required meeting, Dr. Craig’s current commission will continue under existing terms for an additional year unless the board acts in a subsequent public meeting before that extension ends.

Why it matters

The decision affects leadership continuity and representation for a district with a large Latino student population. The public comment turnout shows strong community interest in central office staffing and in how governance decisions intersect with equity and communication.

Documentation: The transcript records many individual statements and the roll‑call tallies for the table and underlying votes; the solicitor’s explanation of statutory consequences was provided on the record.