Sharon Smith announces retirement as Lyndonville superintendent on Aug. 1

District will work with Orleans/Niagara BOCES to pick successor

Sharon Smith

LYNDONVILLE – Sharon Smith, the school superintendent for the past three years, announced she will be retiring on Aug. 1.

“It has been my greatest honor to serve as the Lyndonville Central School District Superintendent,” Smith said in a letter to the Board of Education on Jan. 14. “I am proud of the work accomplished together with my administrative team, faculty, staff and the Lyndonville Board of Education.”

Smith’s educational career spans 40 years, with her first 22 years as a teacher and the past 18 as an administrator. Prior to being Lyndonville’s school superintendent, she worked three years for Lyndonville as Director of Instruction and Student Services.

Previously, she worked as Kendall’s elementary principal, a curriculum coordinator for Frontier Schools and assistant principal, CIO and grants coordinator for Newfane schools. Prior to her administrative career, she worked as an elementary teacher for 22 years.

“I am so grateful for all the opportunities afforded me in my 40-year career, but it has been my greatest honor to serve as the Lyndonville Superintendent of Schools,” Smith wrote to the Board of Education.

Smith helped lead the district through a successful vote on a $19.5 million capital project. That was approved on Dec. 14, 2023.

Jerod Thurber, president of the Lyndonville BOE, said praised Smith for her service to the school district.

“We wish her the best in this next chapter of her life,” Thurber said.

The board will work with Dr. Taweepon Farrar, district superintendent of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, in the search for a new district superintendent. This consultation service is provided to the district at no cost, Thurber said.

“A defined timeline will be shared with the community in February,” Thurber said in a letter posted on the district website. “Information about the search and critical updates will be provided to the community regularly.”

He welcomed input from residents and district stakeholders in the selection of the next superintendent.

“The Lyndonville Central School District Board of Education is committed to ensuring our students continue to receive exceptional education and set their path for future success,” Thurber wrote in the letter. “To uphold this commitment, our community must come together and work on finding an outstanding superintendent who will lead our schools into the future with vision, excellence and tiger pride.”