Pittsford board approves personnel reports; district outlines leadership transitions and staffing needs

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — The Pittsford Central School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 approved professional- and support-staff reports that included multiple appointments, resignations and role changes and received an update on several administrative transitions and current hiring needs.

Human-resources staff reported one administrator appointment and one administrator substitute appointment; 13 certificated probationary appointments; two certificated-staff corrections; two physical-therapist appointments; 10 school-related professional appointments; one rescinded resignation for a certificated staff member; one administrator resignation; one certificated-staff resignation; and two school-related professional resignations. The board moved to approve the professional-staff report and carried the motion by voice vote.

The support-staff report listed clerical, transportation and custodial hires and resignations, including retirements. The board approved that report by motion and voice vote.

The board also approved a restructuring within student services to create an assistant director of student services title, described by staff as a retitling to align a coordinator-of-social-and-emotional-learning position with day-to-day duties. District staff said the change has no staffing or budget impact.

Named transitions and timelines: The board congratulated Lindsay Alley, who was approved to become Director of Student Services; her transition to the role was discussed with a start roughly in mid-November. The district announced that Stephanie Berg moved from Jeff Road to Mendon High School as assistant principal; Laura Heffner (transcript: Laura Heffner) moved from Mendon High School assistant principal to coordinator of special programs and services; and that Shana (last name not specified in the record) will transition to superintendent with a start date of Dec. 1. The current superintendent said he will depart the superintendency on Dec. 1 to serve as interim for Mike Fespe until Fespe’s return.

Jeff Road principal opening: The district said it is interviewing candidates for the Jeff Road principal position and that the start date for a successful candidate could be as early as September or delayed to October depending on candidate notice requirements with their current employers. Audra Schmidt will serve as interim principal during the process.

Staffing challenges and recruitment: Human-resources staff described ongoing recruitment needs, notably elementary-level openings, special-education teachers (particularly at the secondary level), paraprofessionals and transportation staff. The HR presenter invited qualified candidates to apply via the district website.

Why it matters: The approvals and leadership transitions affect building-level staffing, special-education coverage and the district’s capacity heading into the school year.

Next steps: Open positions will be filled through posted searches; the district will post the assistant director position and continue interviews for principal roles. Board members approved the personnel reports by motion; the motions carried by voice vote.