Incoming Superintendent Cutaia Delivers First Power Hour of the Year: “Shaping Our Schools Together”

At the first Power Hour of the 2025–26 school year on October 21, members of the Pittsford community gathered to hear from Shana Cutaia who will assume the role of Superintendent of Pittsford Schools on December 1, 2025. During the session, Cutaia shared insights about her transition into the position, addressed areas of interest expressed by attendees, and facilitated a collaborative feedback process to help inform her work as the District’s next superintendent.

Topics of interest included academic achievement and rigor, internet safety and artificial intelligence, and sustainability practices.

During the hour-long discussion, Cutaia emphasized that academic rigor will remain a cornerstone of Pittsford’s educational philosophy. As the community continues to evolve—now with more than 500 District families speaking a language other than English at home—she highlighted the importance of providing a culturally responsive approach with the right resources in place to meet diverse student needs.

Safety, she said, will also continue to be a top priority. That commitment extends beyond physical safety to include the social and emotional well-being of students. Measures such as fortified entryways, continuous infrastructure maintenance, and video monitoring systems are complemented by the District’s internet policies and protections that help ensure online safety and allow PCSD to stay ahead of emerging technological risks.

The final topic of discussion centered on sustainability. Cutaia shared that participation in school meal programs has significantly increased as a result of New York State’s Universal Free Meals program—with breakfast participation rising from less than 1% to 36%, and lunch participation increasing from 29% to 59%. This increase brings new challenges, including food waste management, which the District and its Sustainability Committee are addressing through expanded recycling and composting initiatives in school cafeterias.

As Cutaia prepares for her December 1 transition, she noted that her entry plan will focus on gathering input from students, staff, and the community, along with analyzing key data to guide decisions that ensure continued success for Pittsford Schools and its students.

You can view this Power Hour and previous recordings on the District's YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/@pittsfordcentralschooldist3099/videos. Join us for the next Power Hour at Calkins Road Middle School on January 27 at 6:30 p.m.