Wickliffe Superintendent Joseph Spiccia Named 2024 Ohio Superintendent of the Year: Advocates for Student Success Statewide

Joseph Spiccia, Superintendent of Wickliffe City Schools, has been named the 2024 Ohio Superintendent of the Year by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA). This prestigious honor recognizes Spiccia’s 47 years in education and his steadfast belief that every student, everywhere—not just in his district—deserves access to the tools and resources needed to succeed.

“This isn’t just about Wickliffe,” Spiccia explained. “Every student, in every place, should have the opportunity to succeed. We owe it to our communities and our young people to make sure they have the support they need to thrive.”

While Spiccia’s leadership has greatly impacted the Wickliffe community, his broader vision is to inspire districts across the state to provide the same level of support to their students. “What we do is help people, and no one does anything by themselves,” he said. “My job is to work with my team to show them how it’s possible. Together, we help others prioritize and achieve, and we believe every student deserves the same chance, no matter where they are.”

One of Spiccia’s proudest achievements is the creation of the Family Resource Center, which he hopes can serve as a model for other districts throughout Ohio. Recognizing that 52% of Wickliffe residents are economically disadvantaged, Spiccia led the initiative six years ago to provide families with essential services, including:

Community healthcare
A student-led food and clothing pantry
Mental and social services
Athletic physicals
Annual tax services and support

To date, the Family Resource Center has served over 8,000 community members. Spiccia believes the center’s success is proof that such a model could be replicated in other districts facing similar challenges. “Every community should have a resource like this,” Spiccia said. “Families need access to basic needs like healthcare, food, and mental health services, and I hope districts across the state can see how impactful this concept has been for Wickliffe and make it a reality in their own communities.”

Spiccia’s leadership also extends to the district’s College and Career Program, a unique 10-year plan that begins in the third grade and helps students explore and plan for their future. This program offers early career planning, job site visits, and opportunities to hear from professionals with diverse career paths, including non-traditional roles such as casino pit bosses and professional clowns.

“We allow students to plan their future while also showing them how it’s possible,” Spiccia said. “It’s not about telling every student they need to go to college; it’s about showing them that there are many paths to success. Do you want to be in school until you’re 60, or do you want to build a career?”

Though deeply rooted in the Wickliffe community, Spiccia’s vision for equitable access to resources and opportunities is something he hopes will spread across the state. “This is a team effort,” he said. “But it’s not just my team in Wickliffe—it’s every educator and every community working together to give every student the tools they need to thrive. I hope the work we’ve done here inspires others across Ohio.”