(July 20, 2022) The Rochester City School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Farr as the Chief Financial Officer, effective August 15, 2022, Analy Cruz-Phommany as Executive Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages, effective July 25, 2022, and Stephen LaMorte as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, effective July 20, 2022.
Shawn Farr Named Chief Financial Officer
The Rochester City School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Farr as the District’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He officially begins his duties as CFO on August 15, 2022.
Mr. Farr currently serves as Vice President of Administration and Finance and CFO for Central Penn College. He has extensive finance and administrative experience at the executive level in both PreK-12 and higher education and in nonprofit and governmental organizations. For more than 15 years, he worked in the California State University (CSU) system, holding a variety of positions, including Accounting Supervisor, Controller and Assistant Director for Business Management, Financial Advisor for the office of the Chancellor, and CFO for the Foundation at CSU, Fullerton. After working at the Annenberg Foundation and then the Greater Philadelphia First Foundation, he served as a Special Assistant to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education in an independent monitor-like role, working with financially distressed school districts, including Chester-Upland School District, and as the Board of Control Chair for the Duquesne City School District. Expanding his work with financially distressed districts, Mr. Farr served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Harrisburg City School District and later as the Director of Finance and Board Secretary for the Carlisle Area School District. Mr. Farr seeks out opportunities where he can develop and implement policies and procedures to improve the operating effectiveness of an organization as it works to meet its core mission.
Mr. Farr earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the California State University at Long Beach and a Master of Business Administration from the California State University at Bakersfield.
Analy Cruz-Phommany Named Executive Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages
Currently the District’s Director of Bilingual Education, Ms. Cruz-Phommany is a proud graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School. She started her career in the District almost 15 years ago as a Bilingual teacher at Enrico Fermi School No. 17. As a highly effective teacher, she stretched her impact and influence as a Bilingual Instructional Coach continuing to serve School No. 17. A thoughtful and passionate advocate, Ms. Cruz-Phommany has established herself as a resource to students, families, teachers, and principals to ensure staff professional development, curriculum evaluation, and best practices in Bilingual and language programs. In this new role as Executive Director, she will provide leadership to the development and implementation of District standards, instructional initiatives, curriculum, and professional development for English Language Learners.
Ms. Cruz-Phommany earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Urban Education from the SUNY College at Cortland, a Master’s Degree in Teachers of English to Students of Other Language (TESOL) from Nazareth College, and a Master’s Degree in School District Leadership from the University of Rochester.
Stephen LaMorte Named Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives
Currently the Director of Grant Development, Mr. LaMorte collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop, implement, monitor, and realize programs, using supplemental funding, to impact teaching and learning. Mr. LaMorte began his career in the District 23 years ago, serving as a Social Studies teacher at Monroe and Franklin High Schools. As a teacher leader, he fulfilled varied roles to stretch his impact and influence, before becoming a lead teacher and instructional coach. Mr. LaMorte also served as Director of Assessment and Testing and as Executive Director of Social Studies. In this new role as Executive Director, he will provide direct assistance and project management leadership to the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in the facilitation of initiatives within the department, including amongst instructional directors and school chiefs, and across other departments within the District.
Mr. LaMorte earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the SUNY College at Geneseo, a Master’s Degree in Communication from the SUNY College at Brockport, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership from the SUNY College at Brockport.
