A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Penfield Community,

It is with deep pride and a profound sense of responsibility that I serve as Superintendent of the Penfield Central School District. Every day, it is my honor to care for, lead, and support each student, faculty member, staff member, and family who calls this district home. Penfield is a beautiful community, one grounded in opportunity, partnership, and the shared commitment to ensuring that every child thrives.

It is also with that same sense of responsibility that I write to you today with both sadness and disappointment.

Over time, there has been a growing pattern of harmful, hateful, and dehumanizing rhetoric directed toward me and toward members of my administrative team, particularly those who identify as Black and Brown. This behavior has included persistent online attacks, the spreading of misinformation, derogatory name-calling, and the use of manipulated and AI-generated images intended to humiliate, demean, dehumanize, and misrepresent. These actions have not only targeted professionals in their roles, but have extended into deeply personal and family spaces.

This is unacceptable.

If this behavior were occurring between students, we would name it clearly: cyberbullying, discrimination, intimidation, taunting, and harassment. And today, it must be named as such within our adult community as well.

Let me be clear: disagreement, questions, and accountability are all appropriate and necessary in a strong public school system. However, harassment, racism, intimidation, and the intentional spreading of falsehoods are not. These actions erode trust, damage individuals, and ultimately harm the very system we are all working to strengthen on behalf of children.

Since my first day in this role, I have encountered challenges. While challenges are a natural part of leadership, it is important to acknowledge that some of what has been experienced is not rooted in the work itself, but in the treatment of people, specifically the treatment of individuals based on identity. The disproportionate targeting and scrutiny of Black and Brown leaders in this district cannot be ignored.

At the same time, it is equally important to state that this behavior does not represent the entirety of the Penfield community. There are many individuals, families, and staff members who demonstrate care, civility, partnership, and compassion each and every day. That is the Penfield we know and value.

While it is important to acknowledge that this behavior is being driven by a small number of individuals and does not reflect the values of the broader Penfield community, it is equally important to recognize that its impact is not small. Even actions taken by a minority can have a profound and lasting effect on the health, well-being, and sense of safety of those being targeted. Harm, regardless of its source, must be taken seriously when it undermines an individual’s dignity and ability to feel valued and supported within their own community.

I also want to acknowledge the recent message shared by Board President Dr. El-Amin-Turner. I extend my sincere empathy and regret for the experiences she has endured, and I apologize for the ways in which she has been made to feel during her service. No one should have their dignity, safety, or sense of belonging compromised in the act of serving their community. More broadly, I offer an apology to any individual whose identity has been harmed or diminished simply for working to build a school system rooted in truth, integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership. That harm is real, and it matters.

As Superintendent, I am bound by law and confidentiality and cannot speak to individual personnel matters or specific claims that may circulate publicly. What I can say is this: under my leadership, the District has taken deliberate steps to strengthen systems, increase accountability, and ensure consistency in service of students. These actions are grounded in what is educationally sound, legally required, and ethically responsible.

There has also been an increase in formal information requests and public commentary that, while within legal rights, are at times used in ways that seek to undermine rather than understand. I urge our community to approach information thoughtfully and responsibly.

I ask, respectfully and sincerely, that you do not believe everything you hear or see. Much of what is being shared publicly represents a single perspective, often absent of full context or verified facts. As a community, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard, one that prioritizes truth over speculation, facts over fear, and integrity over division.

It is also important to acknowledge that individuals have the right to express their views and perspectives. That freedom is a fundamental part of our community and our democracy. However, we must also ask ourselves: at what cost? Freedom of expression should not come at the detriment of others, nor should it be used to harm, demean, or dehumanize. With that right comes a shared responsibility to ensure that our words and actions contribute to a community grounded in respect, dignity, and care for one another.

At the same time, it is important to be equally clear: asking for full and accurate information does not invalidate the lived experiences of individuals who name racism or harm. No one can diminish or dismiss how a person experiences or perceives harm based on their identity. Just because something has not been experienced or witnessed by one person does not mean it is not real for another. Both things can be true, we must seek complete and accurate information, and we must also listen with empathy and take seriously the experiences of those who are telling us they have been harmed.

Imagine what it feels like to come to work each day in an environment where misinformation, hostility, and personal attacks are constant. It does not feel safe. It does not feel supportive. And it directly impacts the ability of dedicated professionals to focus on what matters most, our students.

And yet, despite this, our educators, leaders, and staff continue to show up. They continue to serve. They continue to care for children with unwavering commitment.

That is what defines this District.

To the People of Color in our District: you are seen, you matter, and you belong. Your presence, your leadership, and your contributions strengthen our schools and our community.

I call on our broader community to join in actively disrupting hate. If you see something, say something. Silence allows harm to persist, and inaction risks normalizing a culture that tolerates disrespect and division, values that are fundamentally misaligned with who we aspire to be for our students.

I remain steadfast in my commitment to every student, every family, and every staff member. I will continue to lead with courage, to speak truth when it is difficult, and to disrupt harm when it presents itself. Silence in the face of harm is not leadership, and it is not who we are called to be as a community.

Penfield must, and will, be a place where every individual feels they belong, where dignity is protected, and where we model for our students the very values we expect them to uphold.

Thank you to those who continue to lead with kindness, partnership, and integrity. Your actions matter more than you know.

Sincerely,

Tasha Potter, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools