As we embark on this new school year, I am excited to welcome both returning and new students, families and staff members to the Pittsford School District community. The beginning of the 2024-25 school year brings some important updates, including ongoing work to fortify main entrances, a newly designed website that serves as a comprehensive and accessible resource, and the appointment and advancement of four administrators.

Over the summer, capital improvement renovations focused on increasing the safety of main entrances with secure vestibules and enhanced visitor screening systems. Each building is at different stages of completion, but construction for all buildings will be complete by early fall.  

As you visit the District’s website at pittsfordschools.org, you’ll notice a newly designed site that launched in July due to a merger between our former website provider and the current one, Finalsite. The website was meticulously designed to maximize functionality, enhance user experience and continue to serve as a comprehensive resource that families and staff can depend on for information about programs, events and District-wide initiatives.

Over the summer, we also welcomed four new administrator appointments to our leadership team. Terrence Hasseler joined Pittsford Schools as Budget Director; Jessica LeVan was appointed Assistant Principal of Mendon Center Elementary School; Orlando Benzan was promoted to serve as the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Personnel for the Pittsford Central School District, and Rachel Smith was promoted to District Treasurer. These dedicated professionals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and innovative ideas to our school, and I am confident that their contributions will greatly benefit our students and community.

As we move forward, our focus remains on fostering a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student can thrive. I encourage you all to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead and to actively participate in our school community.

Together, let’s make this school year one filled with learning, growth, and success.

Congratulations to our new and promoted administrators:

Terrence Hasseler joined Pittsford Schools as Budget Director on August 12, 2024. Hasseler was most recently serving as Executive Director of Budget, Efficiencies, and Compliance at the Rochester City School District. Previously he served as the Business Administrator for the Caledonia-Mumford Central School District and worked as an audit manager at Raymond F. Wager, CPA.

He has Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Accounting and Finance from the University of Buffalo, a Master of Science in Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Business Administration from State University of New York at Brockport.
 

Jessica LeVan was appointed Assistant Principal of Mendon Center Elementary School, beginning July 29, 2024. She has worked at Pittsford Schools in several roles including student services teacher, school psychologist, standards leader and as a member of the Committee on Special Education. Additionally, she was an adjunct professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

LeVan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Geneseo, a Master of Science degree in School Psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Rochester Institute of Technology. She holds a second Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from St. John Fisher University.
 

Orlando Benzan has been promoted to serve as Director of Equity, Inclusion and Personnel for Pittsford Central School District. His position was elevated to the director level to include oversight and expanded responsibilities in Human Resources.

His previous position of Coordinator of Equity & Inclusivity was funded through a federal grant that will expire in October. This new position was combined with a vacant position in Human Resources to create the new directorship.
 

Rachel Smith was promoted to District Treasure, beginning July 10, 2024. She previously served as Assistant Director of Finance. Prior to her work with Pittsford Schools, Smith was Fiscal Manager for Wayne-Finger Lakes CBO supporting Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District and Romulus Central School District, as well as other districts as Deputy Treasurer. She also worked as a senior auditor at Raymond F. Wager, CPA.

Smith has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from St. John Fisher College, a Master of Science in Educational Administration, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Business Administration from State University of New York at Brockport.