The Cornwall School Board confirmed his appointment Thursday night, the announcement was posted on the district’s website that Dade had been selected out of 400 candidates to head its school district and approved by the board.

The post said he would start in July.

“It’s obvious there could have been more transparency in this process. There may have been good reasons to withhold the information, but nobody I know knew this was already in the works for quite some time,” Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski said. “But it’s a very difficult job to be supt in Rochester, N.Y. and apparently the tensions between the board and superintendent continued to increase to an unbearable level.”

Two days ago, Dade announced he was looking to leave, that he had no idea when he came here that he would have to help dig Rochester out of an $87 million hole. He also complained that he didn’t have the support of the school board.

On Thursday, Dade told principals who gathered to show their support that he had not made any decisions yet. Some local leaders and principals who came out on Thursday said they hoped he would stay.

School Board member Beatriz LeBron said she is deeply disappointed that Dade chose to leave in this manner and that the board had to learn through the media and another school district that he had chosen to exit his contract and was heading to a new job.

News10NBC reviewed Dade’s current $250,000, 3-year contract and it does give him an out with 90 days’ notice.

Statement from Board of Education regarding the Departure of Superintendent Dade

The Board of Education issued the following statement to the Rochester community Friday morning:

“Much to our surprise, we learned yesterday from the media that Superintendent Terry Dade accepted another position.  Please understand that your Board of Education’s commitment to our students, staff, and community remains steadfast.

Going forward, our first priority is to recommend a budget to the Rochester City Council that best addresses our fiscal circumstances with a focus on the best educational opportunities for our children.  At the same time, we are focused on the future leadership of the District and its stability as we look forward to our reopening for regular instruction. We are confident that the strength of our community, together with our commitment, will see us through the challenges currently facing us.

In closing, we wish to thank the many people who have worked so hard during this pandemic to ensure the health and safety of the entire Rochester Community, and particularly the students and parents of the District.”

— WHEC