The Penfield Central School District is pleased to announce the appointment of LaShara Evans as the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, following Board of Education approval at its May 1 special meeting.

Ms. Evans is an educational leader with 19 years of experience advancing people-centered systems in education. As the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, she will bring a strategic and service-oriented approach to supporting and strengthening the workforce that powers student success. Currently, Ms. Evans serves as Chief of Staff for the Rochester City School District, where she acts as a key advisor and designee for the Superintendent, oversees strategic planning efforts, and ensures cross-departmental alignment in support of district priorities. Her leadership helped to increase systemwide alignment with the district’s priorities.

Ms. Evans began her career as a classroom teacher and steadily advanced through leadership roles, including Principal of French Road Elementary in Brighton and Flower City School #54 in Rochester, as well as adjunct professor at the University of Rochester. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in collaboration and accountability. She also has extensive experience in school improvement and educator development, which will inform her approach to HR leadership. Whether facilitating collective bargaining, designing onboarding systems, or cultivating recruitment pipelines, she is focused on building environments where every employee is respected, supported, and empowered to grow. 

Ms. Evans holds a B.A. in Health and Society, a master’s in education, and dual certifications in School Building and District Leadership from the University of Rochester. She is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Rochester. Her community leadership includes service on nonprofit boards and faith-based organizations, reflecting her deep commitment to public service. 

As Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Ms. Evans will be driven by a simple but powerful vision: when adults are supported and inspired, students thrive. She replaces Dr. Stephen Kenny, who has been named Superintendent of the Wheatland-Chili School District as of July 1