Sharon Smith, retiring Lyndonville school superintendent, gets praise from BOE

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sharon Smith is shown with a crabapple tree presented to her as a gift from the Board of Education on Tuesday evening at what is expected to be her final board meeting. Smith is retiring after a 40-year career in education, including the past 3 ½ years as district superintendent. The crabapple tree matches the ones on the district property. The tree was grafted by Nick Nesbitt and Steve Grabowski. Crabapple trees are associated with love, and these trees are resilient with steady roots to provide strength, said board member Megan Bruning.

LYNDONVILLE – Sharon Smith was praised for her work at Lyndonville Central School on Tuesday by the Board of Education and school administrators.

Smith is retiring July 31, ending a 40-year career in public education – the first 22 years as a teacher and the past 18 as an administrator. Tuesday is her last meeting as superintendent.

“It has been an incredibly humbling experience and the greatest honor of my professional life,” Smith said at Tuesday’s board meeting.

She has been Lyndonville’s superintendent for about 3 ½ years. Prior to that, 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. Smith worked 22 years as an elementary teacher before becoming an administrator.

“Sharon is a very hands-on leader who always makes time for staff, students, parents, and community foundations and clubs alike,” said Jerod Thurber, the BOE president.

He said Smith has made a difference for students during her career.

“Under her leadership, NYS student assessment scores at both Kendall and Lyndonville rose to the top of the region,” Thurber said.

Smith also worked with the Army Corps of Engineers which will fund a two-year study of the Lyndonville dam and reservoir “to initiate the restoration of this vital Lyndonville resource,” Thurber said.

The BOE president also praised Smith for spearheading the current $19.5 million capital project in which all roofs are being replaced, building being updated, new state-of-the-art classrooms being created and a new track installed.

Smith also convinced Lyndonville to offer a full tuition waiver for students earning early college credits. The students’ families used to have to pay a percentage of the costs for earning college credits while in high school. But two years ago Lyndonville agreed to pay that share. That has resulted in a 20 percent increase in students completing college-level classes. Smith said that cost is under $20,000 to the district.

“It’s about access and equity for all,” she said.

She believes Lyndonville and Niagara Falls are the only districts in Orleans and Niagara counties paying the full cost that would otherwise be billed to students and their families.

Sharon Smith takes the oath of office as superintendent during Tuesday’s organizational meeting. She will serve in the role until July 31.

Thurber said he sees the work Smith does behind the scenes, and he is amazed how she juggled all the duties.

“A superintendent is pulled in so many directions,” he said. “It’s a tough job – more than people know – and I think you did it very well.”

New Board of Education member Joanne Suhr, a retired Lyndonville teacher, said she often saw Smith putting in late hours for the district.

“You were excellent,” Suhr said. “I know the countless hours you put in, often late at night. You will truly be missed.”

Board member George Avery said Smith was “always warm and kind, and that made a difference to kids.”

Patrick Whipple, another board member, said Smith was always accessible to the community, and offered prompt responses to questions and concerns. He thanked her for “leading with your heart.”

Dr. Aaron Slack, the high school principal, said Smith’s championing of the full tuition waiver has resulting in more students earning college credits. He said Smith is leaving the district in a much better position than when she started.

Dr. Elissa Smith, the elementary school principal, said the retiring superintendent was welcoming to a Lyndonville contingent when Smith was the elementary school principal in Kendall. Lyndonville wanted to learn more from Kendall on how its students were achieving at such high levels.

Smith, as the principal, made time for Lyndonville and shared Kendall’s strategies for success. That showed her passion for raising student achievement everywhere, not just at her school district.

“We are exceptionally appreciative of you,” Elissa Smith said.

Lyndonville’s new superintendent, Dr. Heather Lyon, starts on Aug. 1. She has been working as the coordinator of assessment and data at Gates Chili Central School District.