Much-loved Lyndonville teacher is district’s new school business administrator
Dan Dragula, Lyndonville’s Educator of the Year in 2020-21, embraces new role
Dan Dragula
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has a new business administrator who is already well-connected with students and staff.
Dan Dragula, a popular physics and science teacher, was appointed to the business administrator position last week. He had been working as the business administrator intern since July with business official Bart Schuler, who has retired after 2 ½ years with Lyndonville following a long career at Newfane. Schuler has been coming in the office once a week providing guidance for Dragula.
The new business administrator worked 11 ½ years as a Lyndonville teacher and was the district’s Educator of the Year in 2020-’21.
Dragula brought humor and creativity to his class lessons in physics and astronomy. He served as a class advisor, built sets for the school musical, and was a go-to person with sound, electrical, lights and technology. He also has been working in educational technology and integration.
“I love Lyndonville, the students, the community, and the school district,” Dragula said today. “We have amazing staff, faculty, and administration and this is where I wanted to work.”
Dragula said in his new role he can have an impact on the entire district and community. As a teacher he worked with about 100 students directly.
“In my new role, I can support 70 teachers, who impact 100 kids each,” he said. “My direct impact is diminished, but my overall impact is multiplied. By serving the community and the district behind the scenes, I can now serve more students than I could in my previous classroom.”
Dragula enrolled in SUNY Brockport’s School District Business Leader program in 2023. The certification program requires 20 graduate hours in budgeting, accounting, school finances, school law, and data management.
He has earned his initial certification and has 20 more graduate hours and needs to pass two more state tests to earn his permanent certification. He expects to complete have the permanent certification next spring.
Sharon Smith, Lyndonville’s district superintendent, said Dragula has proven to be an asset to the school district, and now is doing it in a different role.
“He’s a great guy,” Smith said. “Kids and parents really respect and love him. He has built great relationships with kids and families.”
He brings a strong work ethic and diligence to the details as school administrator.
“He believes he can help more people,” Smith said about the new role for Dragula. “He has a servant’s heart.”