WCS Chooses Alum As Superintendent

Waterville Central School District’s new superintendent said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to lead his alma mater.

Zach Abbe, a 2001 WCS graduate, takes over as superintendent July 1. He was unanimously approved by the Board of Education at a meeting Friday night.

Along with being a Waterville graduate, Abbe’s ties to the District include eight years as a math teacher at the High School and as a parent.

He and wife Amanda have two daughters, Austin and Kinsley, who attended Memorial Park School.

After their 7-0 vote, Board members welcomed Abbe back home; he leaves the Herkimer Central School District where he had been an administrator, with the last two years as High School principal.

Jeff Lenard, president of the Waterville Teachers Association, attended the meeting.

He joked about teaching sixth grade math to Abbe.

“I’m excited to see him come back to WCS and lead us,’’ Lenard said.

After graduating from Waterville, Abbe earned his educational degrees from SUNY Geneseo and Brockport.

He taught math for two years at Brighton High School before getting a call to consider coming to WCS.

“Jim Van Wormer called me and asked me to apply for an opening for a math teacher,’’ Abbe said. “I knew from growing up here that this was a good place for our own children."

Abbe said Herkimer has been a great place for him, and he wasn’t looking to leave.

“This (WCS superintendent) is the only job that could have pulled me from there.’’

He’ll finish out at Herkimer through the end of June to wrap up his 10 years there.

His summer will focus on getting to know people and hearing their concerns and ideas.

“People need to get to know me and trust me,’’ Abbe said.

“It’s important to establish relationships to work together for the same goals.’’

Abbe will follow Dr. Jennifer Spring, superintendent for the last four and a half years, who is retiring next month.