District hires superintendent; loses board member
By Peter Jehrio
Tuesday, November 23, 2025



LYNDONVILLE — The school district has a new superintendent and one fewer board member.

Barbara Deane-Williams will join Lyndonville as its new superintendent on Jan. 3, replacing Christine Tibbetts, who is retiring Jan. 1.

Deane-Williams, currently the deputy superintendent for student learning and accountability at Churchville-Chili Central School District, was appointed to the post after a unanimous vote at Monday’s school board meeting.

The decision was reached after she and the other finalist — Catherine M. Oldenburg, principal of Westfield Academy & Central School — made presentations two weeks ago.

A contract has already been signed, according to Clark Godshall, district superintendent for Orleans-Niagara BOCES, who coordinated the search.

Deane-Williams began her career in 1979 as a special education counselor and teacher in Massachusetts.

Under her leadership, the Churchville-Chili Central School District increased Regents diploma rates from 62 percent to 84 percent, and obtained grant funding for improved student behavior and school safety.

She has been actively involved in business and community partnerships.

Board president Daniel Heinsler was pleased with the selection.

“We’re glad to have her on board,” he said. “She will be a wonderful asset to our school district.”

Deane-Williams was equally happy with her selection.

“I am absolutely thrilled and excited to be chosen to provide leadership to the district,” she said.

She said during the selection process that she would move to the district and get involved in the community if hired.

Deane-Williams plans to use some of her vacation time to meet with Tibbetts to get acclimated on district issues before Tibbetts departs, Heinsler said.

According to the new superintendent, she will spend December developing an entry plan for assuming her new duties. The plan will include, in part, interviewing district personnel and doing surveys of different groups once she comes on board.

The selection process began in October with 22 candidates. The two finalists were subjected to a series of interview sessions with various groups two weeks ago.

Godshall was very pleased with the process.

Read more in Tuesday's Journal-Register.
View Printable Story

Add a comment