Office of the Superintendent

As the school year winds down, our district and school community take time to celebrate and reflect on all we have accomplished together. This is a special time of year as we recognize the hard work and achievements of our students, along with the dedication of the teachers, staff, administrators, Board of Education members, parents, and families who support them every day. I am incredibly proud to be part of this outstanding district and grateful to everyone who contributes to our students’ success. Thank you to our entire school community for your ongoing support and commitment to excellence. 

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.

We use a variety of measures to assess student success, and I’m proud to share that last June, Lancaster High School achieved a 98% graduation rate, one of the highest in both Western New York and across the state. The number of students graduating with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, an indicator of college and career readiness, continues to rise each year. Last year, 63% of the graduating class received that recognition.

Our mission goes beyond academics. Graduation is not the finish line, it’s just the beginning. We aim to ensure that every student is prepared for life after Lancaster schools. 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 $9.9 million in scholarships to help fund their futures, evidence of both their academic preparation and the community’s commitment to supporting their success.

I am proud to say that the student experience is every bit as important, and as exceptional, as the academic journey in Lancaster.  From our comprehensive, award-winning music programs and meaningful student leadership opportunities to civic engagement initiatives and a strong tradition of athletic excellence, students are provided with countless opportunities to discover their passions, build lasting connections, and find a sense of belonging. Creating an environment where every student feels safe, valued, and connected remains central to our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive school climate and culture. 

We are deeply thankful for the continued trust and support from our community. The recent approval of our 2026–2027 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.

Talent has been on full display throughout our schools in Lancaster. I had the opportunity to attend Court Street’s talent show after being invited by a student, and I also experienced Hillview’s event as a parent. The hard work and dedication our faculty and staff pour into these events is remarkable. I am truly amazed at these young learners' ability to step outside their comfort zones and perform for a full auditorium. Not surprisingly, their dedication and effort were rewarded with smiles and thunderous applause from all in attendance.

Our Culture, Climate, and Inclusivity mission is to make everyone feel safe, valued, and connected. After I complimented a parent and student following the performance, the parent of the student responded, “The Court Street faculty and staff made her feel safe enough to get on stage in front of everyone.” 

Our focus on student leadership, empowerment, and opportunity continues to grow. I attended our Academy of Finance networking event, which exceeded expectations with approximately 75 professionals representing a wide range of industries. Students practiced essential professional skills such as shaking hands, making eye contact, and initiating conversations. For some, these interactions may lead to job shadowing experiences or even paid internships. For others, the event reinforced the importance of networking and the real-world skills they are developing as they prepare for life beyond Lancaster.

I recently visited the University at Buffalo’s School of Management to learn more about its work in artificial intelligence. During the visit, we toured the facility, heard from professors and deans, and explored how they are utilizing this technology. In addition to the many benefits AI brings to education, we also discussed its challenges and potential risks. In Lancaster, we continue to engage in meaningful professional development and meetings with our teacher leaders and administrative team regarding this topic. The experience was incredibly informative at times, feeling like “drinking from a firehose” given the volume of information shared. 

Our commitment to community service and a strong district culture was on full display at John A. Sciole Elementary School’s recent Dance-A-Thon. Through the Schools Against Cancer program and in partnership with the Roswell Park Alliance, students and staff came together to raise an impressive $5,000 for the Courage of Carly Fund, which supports pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients. This effort reflects the compassion and generosity that define our school community. Mrs. Cook’s kindergarten class led the fundraising effort and was rewarded with a well-deserved pizza party.

As designated by the National Association for Music Education, March was Music in Our Schools Month, or as I say, every month is music in our schools here in Lancaster, and it’s a wonderful time to celebrate the talents of our student musicians. From performances to concerts and festivals, our music department continues to provide meaningful experiences for students. One recent example is a group of sixth grade students who performed on the 64th Annual Variety Kids Telethon, showcasing their talents for a great cause. I encourage everyone to visit our website for more information about events throughout the remainder of the school year.

In athletics, spring sports have begun, bringing continued energy and excitement to our courts and fields. Our unified basketball program also continues to inspire, including a recent exhibition game with the Lancaster Police Department (LPD). Our partnership with LPD, much like the commitment of our faculty, staff, and administrative team, is second to none! It was a fantastic event that brought our community together. I encourage you to come out and support our student-athletes at a game this spring.

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the midpoint of the school year. Since September, our students, faculty, and staff have been hard at work creating meaningful learning experiences and strengthening the sense of pride and community that defines Lancaster. Each day, our students are engaged in learning, collaborating with peers, and growing both in the classroom and through the many extracurricular opportunities available to them.

Our music department is especially busy this month as it prepares to bring two beloved musicals to the stage. The Lancaster Middle School Drama Club is thrilled to present, for the first time in Lancaster,  Disney’s Frozen, the new classic featuring the beloved characters Elsa, Anna, Sven, Kristoff, and, of course, Olaf the lovable snowman. At the high school, our two-time Kenny Award–winning Lancaster High School Performing Arts Society will present the classic musical Annie, a timeless tale of optimism, resilience, and hope.

For many years, I’ve attended our middle and high school performances with my family, always impressed by the beautiful costumes and makeup, creative set designs, live musical accompaniment, outstanding choreography, inspired direction, and most importantly, the incredible talent of our students, who perform well beyond their years. Over the last couple of years, my perspective has shifted even more as a parent. I have seen firsthand the countless hours, dedication, sacrifice, and teamwork contributed by students, teachers, advisors, parents, and community members to bring these productions to life. It truly is remarkable.

To everyone involved in the middle and high school productions, thank you, and bravo. There is nothing quite like experiencing live theater, and we are always grateful to see our families and community come together to celebrate the arts. Performance dates, times, and ticket information can be found on our district website.

Kindergarten registration is currently underway at our elementary schools. We are excited to welcome the newest members of our school community and their families to Lancaster and to begin providing them with the legendary learning experience our district is known for. To better serve families, we are pleased to offer a convenient online registration process. Children who are five years old on or before December 1 at the start of the school year are eligible to register. Additional details and registration information are available on our website.

As our winter sports teams wrap up another successful season, we are looking ahead to the excitement of spring athletics. Our student-athletes will soon be back on fields and tracks across the district, building teamwork, resilience, and school pride. We look forward to another memorable spring season and to cheering on our students as they represent Lancaster.

As we move through the second half of the school year, I am confident we will continue to create and witness meaningful learning experiences across our district. Our students consistently rise to the occasion, both academically and through their extracurricular activities, while our faculty, staff, administration, and community remain steadfast in their support. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to Lancaster Central School District.

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.