(April 14, 2025) The Rochester City School District is proud to announce that two of its employees, Tom Keysa and Jaime Smith, have been selected as Essential Service Leaders and recipients of the 2025 SAANYS Region 11 George Vito Administrator of the Year Award. They will be formally recognized at the Region 11 Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 25, 2025, at Midvale Country Club.
Presented annually by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), this award honors Region 11 administrators who demonstrate exceptional support and service to education. Recipients have implemented innovative programs that have made significant improvements in student achievement or program outcomes.
Tom Keysa, who is retiring this June after 38 years of dedicated service, has played a vital role in shaping the District’s physical learning environment. As the Lead Project Architect and later as Director of Facilities, Mr. Keysa has ensured that the District’s 6.5 million square feet of space are ready each day for teaching and learning, after-school activities, and athletic events. His dedication has had a lasting impact on the day-to-day experiences of students and staff across the District.
Jaime Smith joined the District in 2022 as a Senior Communications Assistant in the communications department. As the District’s social media manager, Mr. Smith has brought energy and creativity to RCSD’s digital presence, developing engaging content and innovative strategies that connect nearly 40 schools with families and the broader Rochester community. He has led communication efforts for major initiatives, including the District’s comprehensive school reconfiguration plan, Invest in Tomorrow, through which he has built strong relationships with students, staff, and school leaders.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Keysa and Mr. Smith on this well-deserved honor and thanking them for their outstanding service to the RCSD community.
