There will be a new principal at FHS in September, but who will it be?
The final two candidates for the position, Carmine Peluso and Joseph Fantigrossi, were introduced at a community forum on Thursday.
Former principal Chris Salinas stepped down at the end of the school year. There were 55 applicants ready to take his place.
Both of the candidates are administrators in the Pittsford school district.
Peluso is the assistant principal at Calkins Road Middle School, where he has worked for the last seven years.
He previously taught at Pittsford Sutherland and became assistant principal at Churchville Chili High School, and also has three years of experience teaching in the Rochester City school district.
A father of two boys, he emphasized the need for collaboration between parents and educators in improving academics. He said his main goal would be to advocate for students, above all.
"I'm energized by kids, I'm energized by this community, and if I was the selected candidate, I think I'd be here for a long time," said Peluso.
Fantigrossi has 16 years of educational experience. He has been the assistant principal at Pittsford Mendon High School for the last three years.
Before coming to Pittsford, he taught social studies at New Rochelle High School in New York City for six years, and later worked as assistant principal at Batavia Middle School.
He also has two sons and said his experience in the classroom and as an administrator has prepared him to be a leader in Fairport.
"Every decision we make as educators has to be made with the students in mind," he said, later adding, "What we do here has a moral imperative."
Each candidate took questions from the audience, which consisted of about 50 parents and community members. Although the candidates had met separately with students earlier in the day, some were present at the Q&A.
Student Mark Prezioso asked both how they would make an effort to connect with students, especially those approaching the end of their high school careers.
"I want senior year to be special to me, and it would make a big difference to know whose hand we're shaking when we cross the stage," he said.
The Board of Education will make a final decision by Aug. 15.
There will be a new principal at FHS in September, but who will it be?
The final two candidates for the position, Carmine Peluso and Joseph Fantigrossi, were introduced at a community forum on Thursday.
Former principal Chris Salinas stepped down at the end of the school year. There were 55 applicants ready to take his place.
Both of the candidates are administrators in the Pittsford school district.
Peluso is the assistant principal at Calkins Road Middle School, where he has worked for the last seven years.
He previously taught at Pittsford Sutherland and became assistant principal at Churchville Chili High School, and also has three years of experience teaching in the Rochester City school district.
A father of two boys, he emphasized the need for collaboration between parents and educators in improving academics. He said his main goal would be to advocate for students, above all.
"I'm energized by kids, I'm energized by this community, and if I was the selected candidate, I think I'd be here for a long time," said Peluso.
Fantigrossi has 16 years of educational experience. He has been the assistant principal at Pittsford Mendon High School for the last three years.
Before coming to Pittsford, he taught social studies at New Rochelle High School in New York City for six years, and later worked as assistant principal at Batavia Middle School.
He also has two sons and said his experience in the classroom and as an administrator has prepared him to be a leader in Fairport.
"Every decision we make as educators has to be made with the students in mind," he said, later adding, "What we do here has a moral imperative."
Each candidate took questions from the audience, which consisted of about 50 parents and community members. Although the candidates had met separately with students earlier in the day, some were present at the Q&A.
Student Mark Prezioso asked both how they would make an effort to connect with students, especially those approaching the end of their high school careers.
"I want senior year to be special to me, and it would make a big difference to know whose hand we're shaking when we cross the stage," he said.
The Board of Education will make a final decision by Aug. 15.
