New Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services Position Builds on a Strong Foundation as Elizabeth Woods Retires and Lindsay Ali Begins a New Chapter 

To strengthen coordination and support for students, families, and schools, Pittsford Schools has established a new Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services position, bringing special education and student services together under one department and one leader.

The creation of the new position comes as the District prepares for the retirement of Director of Special Education Elizabeth Woods at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. “Ms. Wood’s leadership, advocacy, and commitment to students and families have helped shape the strong systems and programs that exist today, and we are grateful for her many contributions to Pittsford Schools,” said Superintendent Cutaia.

Lindsay Ali, Ed.D. was appointed by the Board of Education to serve as Pittsford's first Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, beginning July 1, 2026. Dr. Ali currently serves as Director of Student Services and brings extensive experience in special education, student services, and educational leadership.

“Dr. Ali’s role reflects the District's commitment to providing seamless, student-centered support as student needs continue to become increasingly interconnected,” said Superintendent Cutaia. By aligning services such as special education, mental health supports, intervention services, health services, and other student-centered programs under a unified structure, the District aims to enhance collaboration, accountability, and consistency across its systems of support.

As Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, Dr. Ali will work closely with Ms. Woods during the transition and engage stakeholders to identify strengths within current systems and opportunities for continued improvement. “The District remains committed to gathering input from staff and families as it works to further strengthen supports for students,” said Cutaia.

Dr. Ali has served as Director of Student Services since 2025 and previously was Principal of Park Road Elementary School. Prior to joining Pittsford, she held several leadership roles in the Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District, including Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

Dr. Ali earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester in 2025. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from John Carroll University, a Master of Science in Education from Nazareth College, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Pennsylvania State University.