Office of the Superintendent

This time of year provides a natural opportunity to look back and reflect. It is hard to believe that my first year as Superintendent of Lancaster Schools is complete. One thing that stands out, something I have always known but has come into even clearer focus in this role, is just how much people in our district care: teachers, administrators, counselors, advisors, bus drivers, custodians, cleaners, food service workers, coaches, and so many others. I am deeply thankful for those who go the extra mile each and every day to create meaningful experiences for our students.

The spirit of giving that defines the holiday season possesses a unique power that encourages generosity, and it is during these moments that our Lancaster community demonstrates its true character. There are so many opportunities for our students to contribute in meaningful ways through acts of kindness to support others in our community.

During the first week of November, our William Street School community participated in a Thanksgiving Helpers Food Drive. Sixth-grade students completed their quarterly service project by organizing and packing the donations. Together, they collected 76 boxes and 45 bags full of food to support the Lancaster Youth Bureau’s Thanksgiving Meal Assistance program.

Our youngest students and their families got into the season of giving at Como Park, generously contributing to their Como Park Care Closet food drive, where tables overflowed with boxes and bags. The program, established two years ago in response to a growing need, continues to nurture a community where students and families feel comfortable asking for support. Normalizing that everyone needs help at some point remains a core focus of this effort.

Throughout the year, students from all grade levels help raise money for the Lancaster Youth Bureau’s Annual Day of Giving, which occurs later this month. One example is a student-led project at Lancaster Middle School in which students will once again fundraise through their Ballin’ for the Bureau basketball tournament, and representatives from all our buildings will assist by organizing and wrapping gifts, packaging food bags, and loading real Christmas trees. It is truly a remarkable day of service. If you're interested in participating or contributing, please contact the Lancaster Youth Bureau at 716-686-4444 for more information.

As we navigate this holiday season, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the positive influence our students, parents, teachers, and staff have within our schools and the broader community. I take pride in how our schools emphasize relationships and compassion alongside academic excellence. Witnessing our students go above and beyond to support and assist others is genuinely inspiring.

This culture of care extends beyond community service into all aspects of district life. Last month, members of our fantastic music department participated in the annual faculty recital, drawing nearly 100 audience members, students, spouses, siblings, and parents, who came to see our teachers showcase their talents. The musicianship on display was impressive, and donations collected went to the Richard E. Pascucci and Sarah Meredith Memorial Music Scholarships, creating a lasting legacy that honors both music and education.

As we celebrate this festive season, I encourage you to attend one of our many holiday concerts listed on our website. These performances, held in our buildings and throughout the town and village, including nursing homes and other community spaces, highlight the strong connections between school and community. May your season be filled with celebration, rest, and cherished moments with family and friends. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season!

The start of a new school year is a time of immense excitement in Lancaster, from kindergarteners starting their school careers to our high school seniors enjoying their final "first day." I'm pleased to share that this year's opening has been one of the smoothest to date. Ensuring this seamless transition is something that doesn't happen by accident, and is only the result of the tireless dedication and hard work through the summer by so many across our district.

Before the start of the school year, our teachers put together countless hours developing curriculum to benefit our students and supporting the newest members of our faculty, culminating in our district's annual Legendary Day of Learning. In addition to focusing on district initiatives, student needs, and emerging trends and technology, the day allowed staff to hear from a distinguished alumnus who reminded them that the investment they show students can last a lifetime. Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Schmiegel-Luvera, a LHS graduate in 2008, served as the day's keynote speaker and shared how Lancaster faculty inspired her to reach higher and opened the doors to countless opportunities for her success. 

That focus on professional development and growth has made all the difference as we have navigated the opening month of classes. We have witnessed exciting and intentional instruction, deep engagement in our classrooms, and staff and students energized for the new year. It is inspiring to witness such positive energy in our schools as we maintain and broaden our commitment to academic excellence.

At our last Board of Education meeting, we celebrated several remarkable achievements. Twenty-three teachers received tenure, marking an important milestone in their careers and our district's commitment to hiring the best. We also recognized the girls' varsity softball team, along with Head Coach Richard Winiatowski and Assistant Coach Ed Clark, for their outstanding achievement in capturing the Class AAA State Championship this past June. This victory marked the first softball state title in the district’s distinguished history of athletic achievement. Not only was their historic win recognized, but also the team's commitment to excellence in the classroom, with a remarkable cumulative GPA of 96.14 over the school year.

Student safety and achievement continue to be our top priorities. We recently hosted an important assembly at the middle school led by a Community Outreach Specialist from the FBI. The presentation, "Your Device, Your Safety, Your Future," focused on helping students understand online safety in an age-appropriate way. We're grateful to partner with the FBI to give our students the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe in a digital world.

Academic excellence is also flourishing within the district. Five high school students were recently named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They finished among the top 50,000 students in the country who completed the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

These are just a few of the many fantastic things going on in Lancaster, and it’s only the beginning of the year. Please stay informed about the district and our schools by visiting our website and following our social media channels. Together with our fantastic community, we look forward to making this upcoming school year the best one yet.

As I reflect on the first six months serving as Superintendent of the Lancaster Central School District, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. From this new vantage point, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the people and values that make this district truly exceptional.

There is no doubt - Lancaster is a destination district.

That distinction doesn’t come by chance. It’s the result of our talented administrative team, outstanding teachers, hardworking staff, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we continue to create remarkable opportunities and experiences for our students every single day.

The progress Lancaster has made over the past few decades, both academically and operationally, is nothing short of remarkable. That momentum is visible across all of our campuses. Walk the grounds of any of our schools and you’ll see the physical transformations underway. These beautification and modernization efforts reflect a community that believes in investing in its future. But as impressive as those changes are, what’s happening inside our schools, inside our classrooms, is even more inspiring.

Each day, our educators and support staff help students grow, learn, and achieve at the highest levels. As the school year winds down, it’s a good time to reflect and celebrate the achievements of our students and the incredible team that supports them, our faculty, staff, administrators, Board of Education, and, of course, our parents and families.

We use a variety of measures to assess student success, and I’m proud to share that last June, Lancaster High School achieved a 99% graduation rate, one of the highest in both Western New York and across the state. Even more impressive, 64% of those graduates earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation, one of the highest percentages in district history.

Our mission goes beyond academics. Graduation is not the finish line, it’s just the beginning. We aim to ensure that every student leaves Lancaster prepared for their next steps in life. Each year, approximately 80-85% of our graduates go on to attend two- or four-year colleges and universities. Last year’s graduating class was awarded $9.4 million in scholarships to help fund their futures, evidence of both their academic preparation and the community’s commitment to supporting their success.

We are deeply thankful for the continued trust and support of our community. The recent approval of our 2025–2026 school budget ensures that we can maintain and grow our programs, expand opportunities for our students, and build on the tradition of excellence that defines Lancaster.

On behalf of the entire Lancaster Central School District, thank you for helping to make Lancaster a place where pride, spirit, tradition, and excellence thrive. Lancaster is truly second to none, and I am honored to serve as your Superintendent.

As we prepare for the next school year, our priority is preserving the strong programs and opportunities that make Lancaster a sought-after district for families seeking an exceptional educational experience. This is accomplished through the thoughtful and strategic planning that goes into the budget development process.

The budget development process begins each year in January. Through three budget work sessions, the Board of Education reviews spending proposals for each department to ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining high-quality educational programs.

Our first budget work session, held on January 27, 2025, focused on buildings and grounds, transportation, employee benefits, debt service, and reflections on the Governor’s proposal for New York State aid to education in 2025-2026.

The second session held on February 24, 2025, focused on the calculation of our tax levy limit cap for 2025-2026, staffing requirements, an overview of the instructional budget, including special education and instructional technology, and an overview of the Erie 1 BOCES portion of the budget. The tax levy limit cap determines the maximum amount the district can levy in property taxes while staying within state-mandated constraints.

It is important to note that everything that has been presented to date remains a work in progress (i.e., draft form) and has not yet been finalized. All meetings can be viewed on the district’s YouTube channel.

As we approach the final budget work session on April 7, 2025, and await the passing of the state’s budget to finalize our state aid revenue estimates, our goal is to have a final draft budget to review in full at this meeting. Following that, the proposed budget will be adopted at the regular meeting of the Board on April 22, 2025, and the annual budget hearing and presentation to the community will follow on May 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lancaster High School auditorium. Prior to the annual budget hearing and presentation, the student-facilitated “Meet the Candidates” event will be held at 6:00 p.m.

The community will then have the opportunity to participate in the budget vote and board election on May 20, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lancaster High School in the Java Gym.

I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Lancaster community, the Board of Education, our faculty, and staff for their support of improvement projects, updated facilities, and the abundance of opportunities in Lancaster from pre-kindergarten through commencement.

In addition to financial planning, our current Capital Improvement project continues to make excellent progress as we approach the final phase this summer. Phase 5 at John A. Sciole began in summer 2024, focusing on classroom upgrades, fire alarm replacement, and gymnasium renovations. The second phase of classroom renovations will continue into summer 2025.

Phase 6 at William Street School will begin this summer and will include extensive driveway and sidewalk replacements, the addition of a play court, power, fire, PA system, and building access control system upgrades, flooring, ceiling, and lighting replacements in various common areas, and several exterior door replacements. These enhancements will improve safety, accessibility, and overall learning environments for students and staff.

Lancaster High School will also see continued improvements, including traffic flow enhancements at the North end, stadium aesthetics, and classroom door replacements.

The $178M capital project, which was approved by voters in 2024, is in the design phase, with Phase 1 at William Street School expected to begin construction in 2026.

Our administrative team, together with the Board of Education, is guided by the fundamental principle that everything we do is done in the best interests of our students. We deeply appreciate the dedication of our teachers, staff, coaches, and advisors, whose support and inspiration make a lasting impact on our students’ success. I look forward to continuing our journey toward excellence.