The Richfield Springs Central School District Board of Education has reached an agreement to appoint Dr. Jessica Poyer as the district’s next superintendent of schools.
Dr. Poyer will assume the role on July 1, the official start of the 2026–27 school year, following the retirement of current Superintendent Thomas Piatti. She brings experience as a school administrator, educational consultant and teacher.
“I’m deeply honored to be selected to serve as superintendent of Richfield Springs Central School District,” Dr. Poyer said. “This is a community with a strong foundation and a deep commitment to its students. I’m grateful for the trust the Board of Education has placed in me, and I’m excited to partner with them, and with the entire school community, to carry that legacy forward with care, purpose and pride.”
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson led the superintendent search on behalf of the Richfield Springs Board of Education. The Richfield Springs Board of Education will be holding a special meeting tonight, on Tuesday, April 28, to formally appoint Poyer to the position.
“We feel great about it,” Richfield Springs Board of Education President Nancy Duevel said. “From everything we’ve seen, she seems like just the right fit for us.”
Duevel noted that the district had a strong pool of candidates, each bringing unique strengths.
“She really stood out to us,” Duevel said. “We’ve had Mr. Piatti for 10 years, and we’re certainly saddened to see him retire, but we’re looking forward to the next chapter with Dr. Poyer.”
Duevel also shared that community input helped inform the board’s thinking throughout the process.
“The community kind of wanted fresh eyes,” Duevel said. “And she’s that.”
Dr. Poyer’s background and leadership approach played a key role in her selection.
“She brings a clear passion for students, staff and community,” Duevel said. “She understands the uniqueness of rural schools and what it means to be part of a close-knit community.”
Dr. Poyer also came out of the process feeling strongly connected to the district.
“From my time with the Board of Education, my research and my visit to the district, it is clear that Richfield Springs is a truly special place,” Dr. Poyer said. “There is a genuine sense of pride, connection and commitment to students that you feel immediately. In a small, one-building district, relationships are at the center of everything, and that is where schools do their best work.”
Dr. Poyer feels at home stepping into a small school community.
“Small towns are incredibly powerful places to learn and grow,” Dr. Poyer said. “I was raised in a small town, chose to raise my own family in one and have spent much of my career in close-knit school communities. That experience has shaped who I am as a leader, and it’s a big part of why this opportunity feels like such a natural fit.”
Dr. Poyer most recently served as assistant superintendent for instruction, where she led districtwide efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, resulting in measurable gains in student achievement and expanded career-connected opportunities for students. Prior to her administrative roles, she served as a classroom teacher in both large suburban and small, one-building districts, experiences that continue to shape her student-centered and community-focused leadership approach.
Dr. Poyer plans to lean not only on her own experience but also on the experience of those already working in the district as she leads the district forward.
“My first priority is to listen and learn,” Dr. Poyer said. “This is a district with strong traditions and a solid foundation, and I want to take the time to understand what has made it successful. From there, we can work together with staff, students, families and the community to build on that success and continue creating meaningful opportunities for every student.”