Jason Smith leaving Lyndonville after 10 years to lead Batavia school district

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent, welcomes the audience to a patriotic concert on Sept. 15, 2017 featuring World War I songs sung by students from Albion, Medina and Lyndonville.

LYNDONVILLE – Jason Smith, Lyndonville school district superintendent the past 10 years, is leaving to take a job in Batavia.

Smith lives in Batavia and is a Batavia High School graduate. He will start on Jan. 3 as the new superintendent for the Batavia City School District.

“This was a challenging decision for me, yet the temptation to serve my home community was strong, especially coupled with an invitation to do so,” Smith said in a message to the Lyndonville community.

Smith has worked 20 of 27 years as a educational professional in Orleans County, with his first 10 years in Albion. He started there as a social studies teacher before becoming an administrator.

“During my time at Lyndonville, it has been my honor and joy to develop positive relationships with many of you for the benefit of our District, including our dedicated booster groups, our wonderful community partners, such as the Lions Club, the Lyndonville Area Foundation, the Yates Community Library, and our committed local legislative and community leaders,” Smith wrote in his message to the Lyndonville community.

He said he is committed to a smooth transition to his successor at Lyndonville.

Batavia announced Smith’s hiring this afternoon.

“The Board of Education is thrilled to welcome Jason Smith as the new superintendent of the Batavia City School District,” said Alice Ann Benedict, Batavia Board of Education president. “We’re confident that his years of previous superintendent and administrative experience will serve our district well, not to mention he’s a BHS grad himself. As a local Batavian with children in our district, Jason understands the unique challenges and opportunities within our community, and we’re certain he will be a strong and dedicated leader for our students, staff, and families.”

A Batavia High School graduate of the class of 1990, Smith followed his 10 years at Albion with seven years in various principal positions in the Elba Central School.

He received his Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and his Masters of Science in Education from the State University of New York College at Brockport. He is also a graduate of The State University of New York at Geneseo, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Sociology.

“First, I would like to thank the Batavia Board of Education for entrusting me with this tremendous opportunity,” Smith said in a statement posted on the Batavia district website. “As a proud BHS grad, I am thrilled to be returning to Batavia in this new leadership role. Batavia is a very special place to me, and I look forward to working alongside the incredible and inspiring students, staff, and community members.  I can’t wait to hit the ground running in the new year.”