Senator O'Brien Nominates Mary Alice Price for "Women of Distinction" Honor

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien has nominated former Pittsford Schools Superintendent Mary Alice Price for inclusion among the Senate’s “Women of Distinction” honorees, in recognition of achievements during her 40-year career as an educator and administrator.

“Mary Alice Price exemplifies the type of leadership that New York State needs in all of its institutions,” Senator O’Brien said. “The outpouring of support and gratitude that Superintendent Price received from her former students and colleagues when she retired was most impressive. I believe that her style of leadership serves as an example to all of us, myself included.”

The Senate’s program honors women who have made significant contributions in fields including business, education and community leadership, or who have overcome significant adversity. On Tuesday, May 7, Ms. Price will come to Albany and be formally inducted into the “Women of Distinction” during a ceremony in the Well of the Legislative Office Building at 5:30 p.m.

After her retirement in January 2013, Ms. Price left behind a legacy as a consensus builder. Colleagues praised her for consistently taking principled stands and holding fast to what she thought was right. At the same time, she earned respect by working to decrease the rancor in discussions of contentious issues. She was also credited with restoring direction to a district that was adrift during legal and logistical challenges as she was hired.

During Ms. Price’s tenure as superintendent, both Pittsford Mendon and Pittsford Sutherland were listed among the top 100 high schools in the nation. Ms. Price has previously been recognized as the 2009 New York State School Superintendent of the Year and has also been nominated for this year’s national PTSA Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, a scholarship fund in her name for Pittsford alumni has already received thousands of dollars in donations.

Before coming to Pittsford, Ms. Price had also served as the superintendent of Churchville-Chili and the assistant superintendent of West Irondequoit, and as an English teacher at Webster Central.

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Sen. O’Brien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of Monroe County and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester.

The Pittsford Central School District is primarily centered on Pittsford, but also includes parts of the towns of Perinton, Penfield, Victor and Mendon.

Media contact:

Thomas J. Morrisey
Communications Director
office: (585) 223-1800
e-mail: tjmorris@nysenate.gov