A Stronger Pittsford
Starts in the Classroom.
Pittsford has extraordinary schools and an extraordinary community. Together, we can make sure it stays that way — for every student, every family, every neighborhood.
Ready to help? Choose your action:
The Foundation of Our Future.
Three core pillars to elevate the Pittsford Central School District.
Excellence
Among the top schools in New York State — and we intend to keep it that way. Expanding hands-on STEAM, global languages, and real-world learning opportunities for every student.
Safety
Every student deserves to feel genuinely safe — physically and emotionally. That means careful, hands-on oversight of the $48.7M Capital Project, strong mental health support, and consistent, compassionate enforcement of the Dignity for All Students Act.
Unity
Bridging the divide. Fostering a transparent, inclusive environment, ending outside political influence, and ensuring every single family is heard and respected.
"A vision without a structured plan of execution is just a wish."
Pittsford is already exceptional. With the right leadership, it can be extraordinary.
Rooted in Education.
Driven by Results.
I grew up in a home built around education and service. My father was a collegiate mathematics lecturer who later devoted his life to international missionary work; my mother, an elementary school teacher. Watching them give so much of themselves — to their students, their community, and people far from home — shaped something in me I've never been able to shake. They taught me that showing up for others isn't optional. It's just what you do.
My wife Hinna, an attorney at RIT, and I chose Pittsford deliberately over a decade ago. We wanted to raise our children somewhere that valued learning, where we could walk safely and neighbors genuinely looked out for each other. Pittsford has been all of that and more. Our two oldest daughters graduated from Sutherland and are now pursuing careers in medicine. Our youngest is thriving at Mendon Center Elementary. Watching them grow up here has only deepened how much this community means to our family.
Upal family at Somayya's white coat ceremony
“Pittsford’s students are extraordinary. If you’ll allow me, I promise to always show up prepared, ask the hard questions, and never stop working to be worthy of your trust.”
Outside of work I've stayed close to this community in ways that matter to me — coaching Mustangs youth soccer, Jr Panthers wrestling, and my daughter's Lego Robotics team to a regional championship. I also serve on the Directors Advisory Council at the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, which has given me a meaningful window into how academic institutions build lasting relationships with the communities and educators they serve.
Professionally I've spent over 20 years in medical technology, leading teams through complex, high-stakes programs where there's no hiding from a bad decision. What I've come to believe is that the technical challenges are rarely the hardest part. The hardest part is building the kind of trust that lets people work honestly across differences — and holding yourself accountable when things don't go as planned.
Pittsford's school board oversees a $168 million budget and the education of 5,500 children. I'm not running because I think I have all the answers. I'm running because I love this community, because I believe I can ask the right questions and do this work with the seriousness it deserves, and because the families of Pittsford have given my family so much. I'd be honored to give something back.
Why I Love Pittsford.
Pittsford is more than just the place where my family lives — it's my home. When Hinna and I were deciding where to put down roots, we chose Pittsford deliberately. We were looking for a community that valued education, where neighbors looked out for one another, and where our children could grow up with both opportunity and a sense of belonging. Pittsford has been all of that, and more.
Some of my favorite moments here are the simple ones. I love walking along the Erie Canal, one of Pittsford's true jewels, or stopping at the village bakery for a coffee. My youngest son, currently in third grade, considers the library one of his favorite places in town — and I consider those Saturday afternoons browsing books together some of the best hours I've spent here.
We take full advantage of everything Pittsford offers outdoors. Biking through Mendon Ponds Park, kayaking in the Finger Lakes, pickup games at the Community Center, evenings at Great Embankment Park with the kids. This place has a rhythm to it that I genuinely love.
Coaching has brought me closer to this community than almost anything else. Working with young wrestlers and soccer players through the Pittsford Mustangs — and watching the parents, coaches, and volunteers who show up week after week — gives you a real appreciation for how much people here care about their kids.
Pittsford has a quality that's easy to take for granted until you've lived somewhere without it: a genuine sense of safety and mutual respect. Children move freely in their neighborhoods. People slow down. Strangers hold doors. That doesn't happen by accident — it's something this community actively maintains, and it matters deeply to me.
That is the Pittsford I want to help preserve and strengthen for the next generation.
A Clear Plan for Pittsford.
Good governance starts with honest data and ends with better outcomes for every student.
1 Strengthen Academic Excellence
We're already among the best. Let's make sure we stay there — and open every door for every student.
- ✦ Bring hands-on technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship into middle school — circuits, microcontrollers, and design challenges that teach students to build things and bring ideas to life. Children are natural entrepreneurs; our schools should encourage that spark and let natural curiosity lead the way.
- ✦ Expand global language offerings in early grades, including Mandarin, Hindi, and Arabic.
- ✦ Make academic support accessible to every student — not just those whose families can afford outside tutoring.
- ✦ Support extracurricular activities — STEAM clubs, arts, debate, athletics — because the whole student matters.
- ✦ Connect students with alumni mentors, internships, and real-world pathways before they graduate.
2 Support & Respect Our Educators
Teachers and staff are our greatest asset. They deserve to be heard, valued, and compensated accordingly.
- ✦ Build genuine two-way dialogue between teachers and decision makers — because the people closest to students every day hold the most valuable insights about what's working and what needs attention.
- ✦ Ensure salaries and benefits are competitive enough to attract and keep outstanding educators.
- ✦ Support meaningful cultural competency for staff — not a one-day training, but a sustained commitment.
3 Build Unity, Belonging, & Safety
A school where every child feels safe, seen, and respected is a school where every child can learn.
- ✦ Create genuine forums where families from all backgrounds can raise concerns and be heard — not just at budget time.
- ✦ Enforce the Dignity for All Students Act consistently and transparently — every student, every incident, no exceptions.
- ✦ Maintain the separation of church and state in our classrooms — all programming should be reviewed for neutrality and alignment with our educational mission before reaching students.
4 Earn Fiscal Trust
$168 million of community money deserves careful, transparent stewardship — and residents deserve to understand exactly how it's spent.
- ✦ Identify what matters most, measure it honestly, and eliminate waste — so every dollar reaches students and classrooms.
- ✦ Support open communication with parents on curriculum, safety, and budget decisions — before they’re finalized, not after.
- ✦ Share information proactively and clearly with families — avoid the need for them to file requests to learn what is happening in their children’s schools.
Transparency Dashboard
Pittsford by the Numbers.
You can't navigate what you don't measure — and you can't lead what you don't understand. Every chart below is drawn from public sources: NYSED, NCES, U.S. News, Ballotpedia, and official PCSD budget documents.
Budget & Taxes
How PCSD spends our $168M and how it affects your property tax bill. Sources: NCES, official PCSD budget documents, Monroe County tax rate tables.
Academic Performance
Test scores, graduation rates, AP data, and how PCSD compares to NY State and national benchmarks. Sources: NYSED data.nysed.gov, NCES/Ballotpedia, U.S. News.
Student Wellbeing
Enrollment trends, mental health resources, demographics, absenteeism, and student support staffing ratios.
Rankings & Reputation
National and state rankings for Mendon and Sutherland High Schools. Lower national rank number = better. Sources: U.S. News & World Report, Niche, PCSD press releases.
Safety & Climate
Physical security infrastructure, DASA incident context, mental health focus, and national safety benchmarks. Some PCSD-specific DASA counts require NYSED SSEC report download.
Staffing & Operations
Teacher and administrator headcounts, bus fleet, EV mandate timeline, school structure, and operational efficiency metrics.
Key Dates.
Every event below is an opportunity — to learn more, ask questions, and make your voice count.
We had a great turnout! Community members came out to meet Anwar, hear his vision for Pittsford, and sign up to get involved. Thank you to everyone who joined us.
The Pittsford PTSA hosts all BOE candidates for a moderated public forum. Come hear where the candidates stand and submit your questions in advance at pittsfordptsa.net.
Join our door-to-door canvassing team on weekend mornings. We provide walking maps, talking points, and training. No prior experience needed — just a willingness to have a friendly conversation.
Can't vote in person on May 19? Request an absentee ballot at least 7 days before election day. Contact Monroe County Board of Elections to apply: monroecounty.gov/elections.
The official PCSD Budget Hearing and Regular Board of Education Meeting. The public can attend and comment on the proposed budget before the May 19 vote. A key moment to show up and be heard.
Every share reaches more Pittsford families. In a race decided by only a few votes, your network is your superpower. Like our page, share our posts, and invite your neighbors to get informed.
Vote for the PCSD Board of Education and the district budget. Open to all registered voters residing in the Pittsford Central School District boundaries.
Take Action.
Every vote matters. Choose how you'd like to help below.
Take Action
Choose how you'd like to help and we'll follow up with the right next step.
How to Vote
"Every vote matters — and every volunteer makes the difference."
Date
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Hours
7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location
Calkins Road Middle School
Gymnasium — Pittsford, NY
Eligibility
Registered voter residing in the Pittsford CSD boundaries
Support the Campaign
Donate via Venmo
Every dollar helps us reach more Pittsford families. Scan the QR code or send directly to @anwarupal.
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