Superintendent Search
Invitation to apply
The Shenendehowa Board of Education is seeking an experienced school leader to work continuously and in partnership with the community to ensure that all students develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities and character needed to live useful, productive and rewarding lives.
The next superintendent must be able to inspire students, teachers, staff, families, and community partners in a strong, collaborative manner and move the district forward on its mission and goals.
The Board is working with the Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent to conduct a confidential superintendent search, a process that has incorporated community and staff involvement. The Board seeks to implement a smooth transition for the administrative leadership of the district. We appreciate your interest in our schools.
Sincerely,
Shenendehowa Board of Education
Candidate Qualifications
The following characteristics will be vital to the success of the next Shenendehowa Superintendent of Schools.
Student-Centered Leadership. Demonstrate a genuine love for children and a deep commitment to supporting all students. Every decision should prioritize student success, well-being and safety, while actively protecting and improving the lives of both students and staff.
Authentic Educational Experience. Possess extensive classroom experience and understand the realities of teaching and learning. An advocate who values extracurricular programs, recognizing these as essential components of a well-rounded education.
Respectful and Inclusive Communication. Be a respectful and active listener who can create a culture where all voices are heard. Someone who will welcome diverse perspectives and be open-minded and fair, showing a willingness to act on feedback from students, parents, teachers, and staff alike.
Community Engagement and Accountability. Engage courageously with the broader community, building trust through transparency and presence in schools. The superintendent must hold themselves and others accountable for excellence, while remaining open to ideas and feedback from all stakeholders.
Firm Yet Compassionate Leadership. Ability to lead with consistency, compassion and strength, setting high expectations while supporting others in meeting them. Someone who can balance kindness with the ability to make tough decisions, demonstrating fairness, firmness, and follow-through.
Visionary and Values-Driven. Uphold strong values and ideals that reflect the district’s mission and the needs of the community. A leader who defines a clear, progressive vision for equitable and effective education, along with a commitment to supporting mental health and creating a safe, welcoming school environment.
Fiscal Responsibility and Strategic Thinking. Demonstrates a thoughtful and transparent approach to resource allocation, with financial decisions guided by community input and a commitment to fiscal responsibility that supports long-term educational goals.
Compassionate and Visible. Personable, approachable, and genuinely invested in the lives of students and staff. Demonstrates kindness, empathy, and a love for their work, while also being flexible, patient, and open to new ideas. A strong leader who models humility and a commitment to continuous learning and emerging trends in education. Someone who maintains a presence in schools to understand experiences of students and staff to build a supportive and inclusive environment.
About the position
The Board of Education will offer a three-year contract with a regionally competitive salary ranging from $230,000 - $260,000, commensurate with the preparation, qualifications, experience, and record of the successful candidate, as well as an attractive benefits package. Candidates who are willing to relocate and/or reside in the district are preferred. The new superintendent to be involved in school and community events and activities.
Application timeline
• Application materials must be delivered by 5 p.m. on January 6, 2026.
• Anticipated announcement - Spring 2026.
Application procedures
Candidates should send one email with the following attachments by 5 p.m. on January 6, 2026:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
- The completed PDF application
- Official transcripts
- All teaching and administrative certificates
MATERIALS SHOULD BE E-MAILED TO:
Lauren J. Gemmill, District Superintendent
c/o Nicole Coleman
Capital Region BOCES
900 Watervliet-Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 862-4901
Nicole.Coleman@neric.org
Superintendent Search Survey Closes Friday, Nov. 21
Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts via the online survey and/or community forums. The survey closes today, so there is still time to participate! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShenSearch
Next steps in the search process:
On Monday, Dec.1, the application will be posted and is due Jan. 6, 2026. The Board will select candidates to be interviewed after that date, and schedule multiple rounds in February. In March, a candidate will be selected, and a contract agreement will be completed. The Board expects to announce the new superintendent in the spring.
Shen Board of Education seeks community input to inform search for next superintendent
On Tuesday, October 21, the Shenendehowa Board of Education appointed Lauren J. Gemmill, Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent, as the search consultant to find the next superintendent of schools.
The District will conduct a comprehensive confidential search beginning in November and throughout the winter to replace Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, who retired at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
The confidential search process begins with gathering community feedback via an online survey and a series of forums.
The survey asks five questions that focus on gathering input on the District’s strengths, areas for improvement, and the characteristics and skills desired in our next superintendent. The survey will be open until November 21, and is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShenSearch
In the forum, the search consultant will ask attendees to respond to the same five questions as the survey. Forums allow participants to share their perspectives and also hear from others.
Feedback is unlimited, so participation in both the forum and the online survey is welcomed. All responses from the forums and the surveys are collected and reviewed by the Board of Education to inform our search for the best candidate for Shenendehowa.
A schedule of focus groups is below in Date - Group, Time, Location format:
(Any TBDs will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.)
Monday, Nov. 3 - District office staff, IMS, 9-9:45 a.m., District Office Conference Room
Monday, Nov. 3 - High School Faculty - 3-3:45 p.m., location TBD
Monday, Nov. 3 - Off Campus Elementary Teachers - 4-4:45 p.m., HSE Library North Classroom
Monday, Nov. 3 - Community (In-person) - 6-7 p.m., HSE Library North Classroom
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Maintenance, Operations, Facilities, Food Service & Transportation, IMS - 9:30-10:15 a.m., Transportation Garage Conference Room
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - HS Students - time, location TBD
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - District Leadership & Support Team - 1:30-2:15 p.m., District Office Finance Conference Room
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - On Campus Elementary Teachers - 3-3:45 p.m., Gowana Auditorium
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - MS Faculty - 4-4:45 p.m., Gowana Auditorium
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - MS Staff - 4-4:45 p.m., Gowana Library
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Community (In-person) - 6-7 p.m., Gowana Auditorium
Wednesday, Nov. 5 - Elementary staff - 3:30-4:15 p.m., Shatekon Elementary School Library
Wednesday, Nov. 5 - Maintenance, Operations, Facilities, Food Service & Transportation, IMS - 4:30-5:15 p.m., Transportation Garage Conference Room
Wednesday, Nov. 5 - Community - Virtual - Register Here for Nov. 5, 6-7 p.m. (A Zoom meeting link will be sent on Nov. 5, prior to the meeting.)
Monday, Nov. 10 - Administrators, 3:15-4 p.m., HSE Library North Classroom
Monday, Nov. 10 - Administrators, 4-4:45 p.m., HSE Library North Classroom
Monday, Nov. 10 - Community - Register Here for Nov. 10, 6-7 p.m. (A Zoom meeting link will be sent on Nov. 5, prior to the meeting.)
Thursday, Nov. 13 - All staff, 3-3:45 p.m. Register here for 3 p.m. Nov. 13
Thursday, Nov. 13 - All staff, 4-4:45 p.m. Register here for 4 p.m. Nov. 13
All members of the community are welcome to participate in a group that fits their demographic. Please note, virtual meetings require an RSVP with a valid email address, as they are held on Zoom. A Zoom meeting link will be shared to the email address four hours prior to the meeting.
Feedback from the survey and focus groups will inform the invitation to apply, slated to go live in late November.
The board’s goal is to announce the next superintendent in the spring.