WSD Second Round Interviews: Pasquale Cusumano-Rochester Community Schools

This meeting was a second-round interview session conducted by the Waterford School District (WSD) Board of Education on April 30, 2025, for the superintendent position, featuring candidate Pasquale Cusumano from Rochester Community Schools. The discussion focused on Cusumano's leadership experience in education administration, highlighting initiatives to improve student achievement through data-driven strategies, such as co-taught Algebra 1 classes and expanding access to Advanced Placement courses. He emphasized the importance of providing professional development for teachers, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment, and building trusted adult-student relationships. The candidate also addressed challenges in staff recruitment and retention, advocating for competitive funding and strong onboarding processes. Board members shared their pride in the community and discussed governance practices, including managing conflicts and maintaining focus on student outcomes. While the meeting was primarily an interview and discussion of educational leadership, it included references to budgeting and resource allocation to support instructional programs and extracurricular activities, which are relevant to procurement and funding decisions within the district.