RCSD’s interim superintendent begins new role

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WROC) – It’s week one for the Rochester City School District’s new Interim Superintendent Demario Strickland, and he says he already has permanent plans for the role.

“Actually, I am hoping to remove interim from my title. When the board said they were going with the next internal candidate, I had thought about the work that I needed to get done. But I was like you know what I’ve been here, and I’ve put in a lot of work, and I will definitely try to go forward with a permanent job,” said Strickland.

He says he is determined to do what’s needed to change the turnover rate, and he’s starting by strengthening relationships amongst the board.

“I’m committed to fostering and developing positive relationships with every single one of them. So that we explain that this is what we need to do to sustain. This is what I need to sustain because I want to be here, and they’re respectful of that. They’re hearing me out already and I pray it continues,” he said.

He says in his previous role as deputy superintendent he was alongside Peluso when going over plans for the district. So now he is picking up where things were left off to carry out those plans.

“So, reconfiguration being one of them. Making sure schools are ready with our new configuration Pre-K, 6,7,8,9,12 by the fall, so 2024-2025. And using that strategic plan as a guide,” he said.

Strickland will be the interim superintendent for the next year or when a permanent superintendent is selected, whichever occurs first.

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