May 23, 2025 (New Hartford, N.Y.) – The Waterville Central School District Board of Education announced the appointment of Zachary Abbe as the District’s new Superintendent of Schools during a special meeting on May 23, 2025. Abbe will tentatively begin duties as Superintendent for the Waterville Central School District on July 1, 2025, following the retirement of Dr. Jennifer Spring who has served as Superintendent since 2021.
Abbe in an educational leader with nearly two decades of experience, and is committed to fostering a student-centered learning environment where students are actively engaged in choosing their pathways for learning and life preparation. He previously taught mathematics at Waterville Jr./Sr. High School from 2008-2015 and currently serves as Jr./Sr. High School Principal in the Herkimer Central School District, where he has been employed since 2015. Abbe has also served as Herkimer CSD’s Middle School Principal and Jr./Sr. High School Assistant Principal, as well as a mathematics teacher at Brighton High School in Rochester, NY.
“I am honored that the Board of Education has given me this opportunity to serve a district and community that has always been my home,” said Abbe. “I look forward to building a culture of trust and dedication to our students, school and community to guide our students through personalized paths of success.”
“The appointment of Mr. Abbe as our new Superintendent marks an exciting new chapter for the Waterville Central School District,” said Dan Nichols, president of the Waterville Central School District Board of Education. “He embodies the qualities and skill set our stakeholders highlighted as essential for guiding our District into the future. We’re confident that his experience as an educational leader, close ties to the community, and focus on the success of each student make him the ideal candidate to build upon our District’s mission and values.”
Abbe is a 2001 graduate of the Waterville Central School District and earned his School District Leader Certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Leadership Academy. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Education: Adolescent Mathematics from SUNY Brockport and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification from SUNY Geneseo.
The Waterville Central School District Board of Education plans to host a Meet and Greet event with Abbe at a later date and time so that the community may get to know him in an informal setting. Information regarding the date, time and location of this event will be forthcoming.