The East Ramapo Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez as the district’s new Superintendent of Schools, effective July 8. Her contract runs through July 7, 2029.

Board President Shimon Rose praised Dr. Torres-Rodriguez as an experienced educational leader with a collaborative approach, saying she brings the expertise, energy, and compassion needed to help lead the district and serve its students, staff, and community.

Dr. Torres-Rodriguez joins East Ramapo after serving for eight years as Superintendent and CEO of Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut. During her tenure, the district expanded college and career pathways, increased internship opportunities, strengthened literacy instruction, grew leadership development programs, and improved its high school graduation rate by nearly 15 percentage points. Hartford also became the state’s leader in students earning the Seal of Biliteracy.

Nationally recognized for her work, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez was named the 2022 National Latino Superintendent of the Year by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and was honored by the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2024 for her contributions to educational leadership.

In a statement following her appointment, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez said she looks forward to meeting with educators, students, families, and community members throughout East Ramapo, emphasizing that lasting improvements are achieved by working together and ensuring every voice is heard.

Dr. Torres-Rodriguez currently serves as a lecturer in education studies at Yale University. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She began her career as a school social worker before serving as a principal and district administrator.

The East Ramapo Central School District serves approximately 10,000 public school students and 35,000 private school students in the Towns of Ramapo and Spring Valley.