Cazenovia high School Principal Eric Schnabl has been named the new superintendent of the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District, and will begin his tenure there on July 1.
Schnabl submitted his letter of resignation to Cazenovia CSD Superintendent Bob Dubik on Friday, March 21, and the Cazenovia Board of Education was scheduled to accept his resignation at its March 24 regular meeting, which occurred after press time.
“I’ve always kind of kept my eye on that position [at Sherburne-Earlville] … and if it opened I would seek to apply. God willing, I was offered a position and accepted it,” said Schnabl, who previously worked in the S-E school district for seven years and has family ties to the area. “It’s been a great experience here at Caz. It’s a phenomenal school with excellent teachers and great kids. I had the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally and learned about myself in my nine years here, all things I hope will make me a successful superintendent at Sherburne-Earlville.”
Schnabl has been principal of Cazenovia High School since 2005. He started his career in education as a biology teacher and athletic trainer in the Guilderland Central School District, near Albany. In 1998, wanting to move closer to family, some of whom lived in the Earliville area, Schnabl accepted a position as biology teacher and science department chair in the S-E district. While completing his administrative degree, he served his internship as the S-E Middle School assistant principal, and then was hired as S-E High School principal in 2002. He held that position until his move to Cazenovia in 2005.
Schnabl still has friends and family in the Sherburne-Earlville region, and has continued to frequent the area through the years in his passion for hunting and fishing, he said.
“There was a lot of encouragement [to apply] when the position did open up,” Schnabl said.
Last week, as superintendent-designate, Schnabl and his wife attended an education forum in the S-E district where he saw many former colleagues and students from his tenure as S-E teacher and administrator.
“I just feel so welcomed and people embraced the fact that I’ll be coming back and rejoining Sherburne community,” he said.
The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District is made up of 11 townships and schools from Lebanon, Poolville, Earlville, Smyrna, North Norwich and Sherburne. The student population of 1,800 is serviced by about 150 professional staff members, while the school district population is approximately 7,700 residents, according to the district website.
The district began its search for a new superintendent last year, when current S-E Superintendent Gayle H. Hellert, announced her retirement. Applications were accepted through December, final interviews were done in early February and Schnabl’s unanimous selection by the S-E school board was made at its March 10 meeting.
Calls for comment to Sherburne-Earlville Board of Education President Thomas Morris and retiring Sherburne-Earlville Superintendent Gayle Hellert were not returned.
When Schnabl submitted his letter of resignation last week, “it was tough. Bittersweet, definitely,” he said. “I’m really excited to start my new career as superintendent, but on the other hand I’m sad to leave my friends and colleagues and my Caz family … It’s been an honor and privilege to be a part of Cazenovia.”
“We’re happy for Eric, this was a goal of his and he achieved it,” Dubik said. “I’m sure he’ll be successful.”
Once the Cazenovia BOE accepts Schnabl’s resignation, which was expected to occur on March 24, the administration will begin the search process to find his successor.
Dubik said he has contacted Cazenovia’s superintendent-designate, Matthew Reilly, to inform him of Schnabl’s departure and that Reilly will lead the search process.
“He’s going to work with these people so he should hire his own staff,” Dubik said. “That’s the reason I announced my retirement early.”
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].