To the Geneseo community,
On Wednesday, we will open the doors to our schools and welcome our students back for the first day of the new school year. It’s a special day for many reasons, whether it is the excitement of seeing familiar faces again, the nervousness of a kindergartner taking those first steps into a classroom, or the anticipation of a senior beginning the final chapter of their high school experience.
The first day carries a different meaning for everyone. But underneath all of those emotions is something we share: hope. Hope for new friendships, new opportunities, new challenges, and new beginnings. As we welcome our students back, I am filled with that same sense of excitement and optimism for what this year will bring.
As we begin the 2026-27 school year, I want to acknowledge our Board of Education for their leadership and commitment to our district. Thank you to Kane Causemaker, Kyle Ganson, Diane Olson, Julie Robinson, Casey Disterhoft, Kelly Storm, and Tyler Robertson for your continued service to our students and community.
This year, we are welcoming 21 new full-time certified staff members, along with many new support staff, coaches, and substitutes. To all of you, we are grateful you chose Geneseo. I hope you quickly discover what so many of us already know: this is an extraordinary place to learn, work, and belong.
I also want to shine a spotlight on a few longtime staff members who have dedicated decades of their lives to our students and families. This year, we celebrate 25 years of service from Steve Brucher, Brigette Fitzpatrick, Travis Mackey, and Paula Glawe. We also recognize Steve Hillman, Tara Laingen, Darin Pardoe, Jenny Young, Diane Birmingham, Terri Vandersnick, and Kristine Van Vooren, who are beginning their final school year with us before retirement. Their impact will reach far beyond their final days in our buildings.
Last year, we began putting our five-year Strategic Plan into action. Developed collaboratively by our administrators, teachers, and Board of Education, the plan keeps us focused on what matters most: our students and their wellbeing.
We made meaningful progress in curriculum and instruction, strengthened our Professional Learning Communities and Collaborative Teams, continued improving how we assess and communicate student learning, and expanded support for educators through instructional coaching and mentoring. We are proud of that progress, and we also know our work is not finished.
Our three focus areas are Growth and Achievement, Learning Environments, and Finance, and they give us a clear direction for the years ahead. But a strategic plan is only as meaningful as the people who bring it to life. That is why I keep coming back to two simple ideas: authenticity and belonging.
My first year in Geneseo taught me that showing up matters. Being visible matters. Listening not just to hear, but to understand, matters. I learned so much simply by being present in our schools, talking with staff, students, families, and community members, and experiencing this district alongside you.
You can expect more of that from me. I will continue to lead with authenticity, transparency, and a willingness to listen. My job is to support our staff, advocate for our students, and ensure our people have the resources and support they need to do their very best work.
As buses roll, classrooms open, and another year begins, let's remember what makes Geneseo special. It is not simply our programs, buildings, curriculum, or strategic plans. It is our people.
It is the teacher who gets to know a student and notices when something isn't right. It is the Pinks’ driver who greets students every morning. It is the coach who teaches lessons that extend far beyond the field. It is the parent who encourages a child after a difficult day. It is the community member who believes in and supports our schools.
Thank you for the trust you place in our schools and for the many ways you show up for our students. I am grateful to be part of this community, proud of the progress we are making, and excited about where we are headed together.
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
With gratitude,
Dr. Laura Delgado
Superintendent
Geneseo CUSD 228