(August 14, 2024) Interim Superintendent Demario Strickland is pleased to announce the appointments of Derrek Blair as Acting Chief Financial Officer, Edward Mascadri as Acting Chief of Schools (Secondary), Donna Lucy-Lender as Chief of Schools (Secondary), and Michael Mahaney as Acting Executive Director of Budget.
Derrek Blair Named Acting Chief Financial Officer
With a distinguished career in finance and project management, Mr. Blair brings extensive expertise to this role. He has been a key member of the Rochester City School District team since 2021, currently overseeing the financial operations using Oracle Cloud ERP, managing a team of 18 staff members, and ensuring efficient accounting, payroll, and payables functions. Prior to this, Mr. Blair served as a Senior Functional Consultant at SAP, where he led global projects and implemented SAP Concur solutions, significantly improving financial processes and compliance. During his tenure at the District from 2009 to 2020, he served as the Manager of Accounts Payable/Accounting and Accountant, where he streamlined financial operations, enhanced compliance mechanisms, and led major software implementations. He officially begins his duties as Acting Chief Financial Officer on August 14, 2024.
Mr. Blair earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College and an Associate in Applied Science in Accounting from Monroe Community College. He also has a solid background in project management, including the successful deployment of financial and document management systems. Mr. Blair’s expertise in financial systems, automation, and team management will be instrumental in advancing the District’s financial operations and strategic goals.
Edward Mascadri Named Acting Chief of Schools (Secondary)
Mr. Mascadri brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role, with a robust career in education spanning over two decades. Currently serving as the Principal of East Upper School, Mr. Mascadri has been instrumental in advancing academic performance, particularly through his work in developing and implementing a comprehensive Master Schedule that maximizes instructional time and resources. As the Freshman Academy Director at East, he successfully enhanced student engagement and created targeted support systems that contributed to significant improvements in student retention and success. Throughout his career, Mr. Mascadri has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a positive school culture, supporting staff development, and ensuring the safety and security of the school environment. His previous roles include Acting Principal at Vanguard Collegiate High School and Assistant Principal at several other RCSD schools, where he focused on operations, safety, and instructional leadership. In addition to his leadership roles during the academic year, Mr. Mascadri has also led multiple summer school programs, developing master schedules, managing budgets, and ensuring the smooth implementation of District initiatives. He officially begins his duties as Acting School Chief on August 19, 2024, and will support the transition of East’s new leadership.
Mr. Mascadri earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a minor in Education from St. John Fisher University and a Master of Science degree in Education from Walden University. He also completed administrative coursework at SUNY Brockport and the Leadership Academy at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. As Acting Chief of Schools, Mr. Mascadri is excited to continue his work in advancing the District’s goals, driving instructional excellence, and ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education.
Donna Lucy-Lender Named Chief of Schools (Secondary)
Ms. Lucy-Lender brings with her over 20 years of experience in education, including 14 years in administrative roles across urban, suburban, and rural school districts, including across New York City and New York State. Her diverse background and extensive expertise make her an invaluable asset to our team. Ms. Lucy-Lender is a distinguished educator, recognized with the Congressional STEM Award for Excellence in Education. She has a proven track record in implementing culturally responsive teaching and learning practices, ensuring that all students are valued and supported. Her leadership in this area aligns perfectly with our District's commitment to equity and inclusion. Ms. Lucy-Lender officially begins her duties as School Chief on August 15, 2024.
Ms. Lucy-Lender earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Education Supervision and Administration from Touro University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at SUNY Buffalo. Her ongoing commitment to professional growth underscores her dedication to educational excellence. In her new role, Ms. Lucy-Lender is eager to collaborate with our secondary schools to achieve the goals outlined in our strategic plan. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving instructional excellence, fostering a positive school culture, and enhancing student outcomes. We look forward to the significant contributions she will bring to our District as Chief of Schools.
Michael Mahaney Named Acting Executive Director of Budget
Mr. Mahaney brings nearly seven years of internal RCSD progressive experience in budgeting and financial reporting to this role. Since joining the District in December 2017, Mr. Mahaney has made significant contributions, including developing a $600M+ five-year Capital Improvement Plan budget and leading $350M+ in debt issuances that resulted in a net surplus in state aid revenue for three consecutive years. Mr. Mahaney also played a key role in producing the District’s externally audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and was the finance team lead in the Oracle ERP design and configuration. In addition to Mr. Mahaney's financial expertise, he has demonstrated strong leadership by supervising capital accounting staff and overhauling the chart of accounts to improve transparency and streamline reporting. Outside of his work with the District, Mr. Mahaney has served as Vice President of the Rochester Ice Hockey Officials Association Inc., where he has been instrumental in managing operations. He officially begins his duties as Acting Executive Director on August 14, 2024.
Mr. Mahaney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematical Economics with a minor in Applied Statistics from SUNY College at Oswego and an Associate of Science in Mathematics from Monroe Community College. His comprehensive financial background, coupled with his leadership and analytical skills, positions him to drive continued success in his new role.
