A well-rounded staff, supported by a dedicated board of education and significant parental and community involvement, are the key ingredients for excellence in the Lancaster Central School District. The need for partners outside the district is vital and can be critical to pushing the district to the next level. 

Here in Lancaster, parents are encouraged to work cooperatively with their child's teacher and the school to enhance the learning process. Psychologists, social workers, speech teachers, nurses, and counselors support students and families in the district. The Family Support Center, located at Lancaster Middle School, is available for confidential counseling and referral services. 

A long-standing partnership with the Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau further enriches the lives of students and families in the community, with special attention to families in need. School Resource Officers from the Lancaster Police Department work closely with administration, staff, and students to ensure a safe learning environment is maintained in all of our school buildings and there is so much more.

This great district is also fortunate to have support from the Lancaster Educational and Alumni Foundation (LEAF), not many schools have the luxury. LEAF was incorporated in 2010 to provide financial support for academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities for students of the Lancaster Central School District. The non-profit organization partners with businesses, alumni, organizations, and parents to provide supplemental programming and scholarships for our students.

In 2018, with an unprecedented level of support, LEAF committed to raising $500,000 to cover the local share of a multi-purpose turf field. As part of an overall $77.1 million capital project, fulfilling their donation would honor the district’s pledge to the community to ensure that this enhancement would have a zero percent tax impact.

LEAF embarked on an extensive fundraising effort that began with Mr. Russell J. Salvatore and will now make the long-anticipated turf field a reality complete with lights and bleachers. Through dedicated efforts by the LHS Marching Band Boosters, the Lancaster Depew Soccer Club, Coach Julie Buccieri and the LHS Girls Lacrosse team, along with countless others, LEAF has seen their pledge through to completion. On behalf of the Board of Education and community, I am so grateful to all those involved and proud of this accomplishment.  The construction of a turf field on the high school site is expected to begin next spring and be completed by September of 2023.

This work will also improve the quality of life in our entire community, from community education adult learners, to town and club recreational programs, to audiences who attend performances, competitions, and programs.

It has truly been a community effort that brings this beautiful new space to fruition and we greatly look forward to it becoming a cornerstone of activity for many years to come.

Sincerely, 

Michael J. Vallely, Ph.D.
Superintendent