The four finalists vying to be the Rochester City School District's next superintendent met with community members this weekend. 

  • Four finalists named for RCSD Superintendent search
  • Candidates were in Rochester this weekend for community discussions
  • Candidate chosen is expected to start the job in July

Parents and faculty sat down with Sito Narcisse and George Eric Thomas on Saturday. Candidates were tasked with answering questions sent in by the public. They offered a plan for tackling some of the district's most serious issues like making kids feel safe and the graduation rate. 

"Urgency does not mean fast. Urgency means systematic and consistent," Narcisse said. "The more systematic and consistent you are, whether that’s around practices, supports, that kind of thing, you can minimize the challenges you’re having."

"Teachers think such [and] such is going on, the administrator has a different point of view, whereas if we’re working in unison and we’re partners, all with the goal of helping provide a great instructional opportunity for kids. I think we have a great opportunity to do really good work," Thomas said. 

The additional two finalists, Devon Horton and Terry Dade, met with the community Sunday afternoon. They were asked questions regarding the school board, poverty, and the previous superintendent turnover.

"I've never left a district in bad shape," Horton said. "I also know that coming to Rochester is not something I can come in and do in a one or two year bid and be gone. That's not what I'm about."

"My past experience being in the northern Virginia and D.C. area for the past 12 years is an indication of my intents to stay in the community over the long term," Dade said.

According to the RCSD website, the candidate chosen will be expected to begin in July.

Finalist bios, courtesy RCSD:

Terry Dade —  Currently an Assistant Superintendent for the 180,000-student Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, Virginia. Prior to that, Dade served one year as Executive Principal for School Improvement and four years as a school Principal at two elementary schools in Fairfax County Public Schools. He held the positions of Principal/Resident Principal and teacher in Washington D.C., as well as a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia.

Devon Horton — Currently Chief of Schools for the 101,000-student Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, where he supported the districtwide initiative to enhance CTE offerings with more than 30 career pathways. Prior to that, Horton served four years as Deputy Superintendent of Schools in the East St. Louis School District 189 in Illinois. Horton also held the positions of Principal, Assistant Principal, and teacher in Chicago Public Schools for more than a ten-year period.

Sito Narcisse — Current Chief of Schools for Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee, where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all 167 schools with 86,000 students. Prior to that, Narcisse served three years as Associate Superintendent at Prince George’s County Public Schools in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Narcisse has also served as Acting Chief School Improvement Officer, Director of School Performance/Director of School Support and Improvement in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, and has held the position of Principal at both Boston Public Schools and Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Eric Thomas — Current Chief Turnaround Officer for the Georgia State Board of Education. Prior to that, Thomas served five years as Chief Support Officer at the University of Virginia Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was also a part-time consultant for three years at the Ohio Department of Education and has served in multiple roles in Cincinnati Public Schools, including Chief Innovation Officer, Principal Coach, Principal, District Coordinator, and teacher.