At the Dec. 9, 2025 East Rochester UFSD Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Jim Haugh submitted notice of his plan to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Haugh reflected upon his time at ER in a message to staff: “I have seen a deep appreciation and collective commitment for our small town school district and all of its benefits to our students. We have all grown significantly in our instructional strategies and outcomes, social and emotional resources and responsiveness to new challenges.” After referencing the board of education's upcoming work to select a new superintendent, Haugh committed to “ensuring our district operations continue to support our work with students and their families through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.”

Patrick Flanagan, Board of Education President shares: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Jim Haugh for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence throughout his tenure as Superintendent of the East Rochester Union Free School District. Under Jim’s guidance, our district experienced remarkable stability and growth. He established a strong leadership structure that empowered teams and fostered collaboration. Known for being both visible and approachable, Jim served as a trusted mentor to many, inspiring confidence and professionalism at every level. His sound decision-making and exceptional ability to manage all phases of operations, communications, and capital improvements have left an enduring legacy. We celebrate Jim for his vision, integrity, and dedication to the success of our students, staff, and community. While the Board of Education is sorry to see him retire, we are incredibly appreciative for all he has done and wish him well in his retirement.”

During his six years at the helm of the district, a five-year strategic plan was instituted to drive decision making across all district initiatives. Haugh led the return to in-person learning after the New York state decision to close schools during the Covid phenomenon. He facilitated the creation of district-wide curriculums for grade levels and content areas, three capital improvement projects, upgrades in instructional technology operating systems and hiring practices.

Haugh spent time as a teacher, coach and administrator during his 35-year career. First on the scene as a collegiate assistant football coach, he worked his way through the ranks as a high school physical education and health teacher, head high school football coach, assistant principal, Director of Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and for the past six years, ER’s Superintendent of Schools.

The East Rochester School Board will begin the search process for the next superintendent in the coming months.