Letter from East Ramapo's New Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Dear East Ramapo Central School District Community,

I am honored to introduce myself as your next Superintendent of Schools.

I step into this role with deep respect for the students, families, educators, staff, administrators, Board members, and community partners who make up East Ramapo Central School District and with humility for the work ahead.

I come to this work as an educator, a social worker by training, and a mother — someone whose own life was shaped by public schools, multilingual learning, and communities that believed in possibility.

Throughout my career, I have led in complex public school systems where the needs were great and the work required both urgency and partnership. Most recently, I served for eight years as Superintendent and CEO of Hartford Public Schools, Connecticut's capital city district. There, we worked together to strengthen outcomes and build systems that better supported schools. Those efforts contributed to higher graduation rates, more relevant high school pathways, and expanded supports for students and families.

None of that was done alone. I believe lasting improvement happens when the people closest to the work are shaping the path forward. Leadership, to me, means listening closely, communicating clearly, and staying focused on what students need most, even when that requires tough decisions.

The East Ramapo Central School District has tremendous assets and deep community pride. It is also a district with urgent work ahead. Strengthening academic outcomes, supporting our educators and staff, building trust, and making sure every student is served with both care and excellence will always be at the center of that.

In the coming months, I will spend time in every school across the district, meeting students and staff, sitting down with families, and connecting with community members. I want to hear directly from people who have long been engaged in this district and from those who haven't always felt they had a way in. Together, we'll identify what’s working, what needs improvement, and where to focus first.

As part of my entry process, the district will share more details about community conversations and other opportunities to listen, learn, and identify priorities together.

My commitment to you is simple: I will show up, I will listen, and I will follow through. I look forward to working alongside the Board, district and school leaders, educators and staff, students, families, and community partners to build the trust, shared focus, and steady progress this district deserves.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the East Ramapo Central School District. I look forward to becoming part of this community and to getting to know all of you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez
Superintendent of Schools
East Ramapo Central School District