RCSD Superintendent Carmine Peluso to depart for Churchville-Chili

Justin Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·4 min read
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School 8 on St. Paul St. in Rochester, NY started their first day of school today, September 7, 2022. Interim Superintendent of Schools Carmine Peluso high fives students as they enter school.
School 8 on St. Paul St. in Rochester, NY started their first day of school today, September 7, 2022. Interim Superintendent of Schools Carmine Peluso high fives students as they enter school.

Rochester City School District Superintendent Carmine Peluso is leaving the district to become superintendent at Churchville-Chili, an abrupt and unexpected announcement that means yet another leadership change for RCSD.

Peluso became the RCSD superintendent in 2022 after working his way up in the district from classroom teacher to principal to deputy superintendent.

“I am excited to become a part of the Churchville-Chili Central School District,” he said in a statement released by Churchville-Chili. “I look forward to meeting the students, staff, and families in our schools and community. I am committed to working with the administrative team and Superintendent Orologio to ensure a seamless transition."

He will begin in Churchville-Chili July 1 and will replace retiring superintendent Lori Oroglio.

“(Peluso) brings a wide variety of experiences and a skill set that will take our district to the next level!" Churchville-Chili School Board President Kathleen Dillon said in a statement. "We look forward to a smooth transition in leadership. The Board thanks Dr. Orologio for her leadership and dedication to our district. We wish her the very best as she begins a new chapter in her life."

The Rochester school board will hold an emergency meeting in executive session Tuesday night to discuss its next steps.

Striking difference between Rochester and Churchville-Chili

It is unusual for a the leader of a large urban district to move directly to a smaller rural district, but not unprecedented. Terry Dade did the same thing when he moved from Rochester to Newburgh in 2020, and in that case the news got out the same way, via a press release from his new employer.

The difference between Rochester and Churchville-Chili is striking.

  • Churchville-Chili is the 118th largest district in New York, while Rochester is the fourth largest.

  • Churchville-Chili has about 3,700 students compared to about 20,000 in Rochester.

  • Churchville-Chili's budget is around $100 million; Rochester's is just under $1 billion.

Orologio currently earns $235,000 annually compared to $255,000 for Peluso in RCSD. His new salary has not been announced — the Churchville-Chili board will vote to make it official Tuesday night — but the job listing for the new role advertised a maximum of $245,000.

Peluso lives in Victor, which means his daily commute will approximately double.

Shocking news in Rochester

The announcement came as a shock in Rochester, where Peluso was initially selected in part it was believed he would be unlikely to leave abruptly as other leaders have. School board members and administrators learned the news less than an hour before it was announced, according to several people.

School Board President Cynthia Elliott said she "adores" Peluso and was saddened that he's leaving.

"From an emotional perspective, it’s a little hurtful because we’re moving – and will continue to move – in the right direction," she said. "He’s done a great job leading this district. Him and his family had to make some decisions that took him in a different direction, but he has put in place some work that we can continue to build on. I thank him for that, and we will move on and work from the direction we’ve started to go in."

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans called Peluso's departure "extremely unfortunate" and said the city "stands ready to support the District as it embarks on this important transition."

The school board last fall approved an ambitious school reconfiguration plan that will stand as Peluso's most lasting accomplishment in the district. It closes 11 schools, opens five others and reinstitutes junior high schools, among other things. The plan takes effect in the fall.

The district will release its 2024-25 budget proposal on Thursday. Peluso will remain in charge throughout the budget process, and he pledged to be active for the rest of his tenure.

Obvious candidates for the interim superintendency are the two deputy superintendents, Ruth Turner and Demario Strickland. A former interim superintendent, Linda Cimusz, remains at central office as a part-time consultant.

Board member James Patterson said Tuesday he was "seriously concerned over the board's ineffectualness in maintaining consistent leadership," in turn causing "profound unpropitious ramifications for the district's future if this trend continues."

Peluso took over for Lesli Myers-Small, who also lasted about two years in the job. Before her was Dade, who remained for less than one year.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: RCSD Superintendent Carmine Peluso to depart for Churchville-Chili