Dr. Dotan Schips appointed next Cairo-Durham superintendent

CAIRO―The Cairo-Durham Board of Education has appointed Dr. Dotan Schips as the next superintendent of schools.

The appointment was made at the board’s Wednesday night meeting.

Schips, the district’s current deputy superintendent, will succeed Superintendent Michael Wetherbee, who is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year following a 30-year career in education.

“We were looking for a leader who knows our staff, understands our challenges, and puts students first,” the board said in a statement.

“Given the tremendous, unified support from our teachers and staff, it was clear that Dr. Schips is the right person to lead our district forward. He has been an integral part of the Cairo-Durham Central School District for seven years, demonstrating exceptional leadership as middle school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and deputy superintendent. His enthusiasm for our students and their learning is infectious,” the board stated.

Schips holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Russell Sage College, a Master of Science in Education from Syracuse University, with a focus on teaching English Language Arts in grades 7 through 12, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Albany. He is certified in New York State as a school district and school building leader, as well as a secondary education teacher.

Before coming to Cairo-Durham, Schips served as building principal at Warren Street Academy and as an English Language Arts teacher at the New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School.

“Serving the Cairo-Durham community over the past seven years has been the most rewarding chapter of my career,” Schips said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented educators and a supportive Board of Education in service of our outstanding students. I look forward to continuing this work with our community as we advance our shared commitment to expanding opportunities and ensuring high levels of learning and success for every student,” Schips added.

Wetherbee informed the board of education in January of his intention to retire at the end of the school year. He came to the district in August of 2019 after serving for 12 years as superintendent of the Wayland-Cohocton Central School District in Steuben County.

“It has been an honor to serve this district for the past seven years. While I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life, my primary focus remains on the success of our students and the completion of our goals for the current academic year,” Wetherbee said.

Schips’ appointment is effective July 1 and runs through June 30, 2030. Further details of his contract were not immediately available.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, we extend our sincere gratitude to Superintendent Wetherbee for his years of dedicated service to the Cairo-Durham Central School District. His quality leadership, guidance, and understanding of what students need has led to the many contributions made to our students, staff, and the community,” said Board President Elizabeth Daly.

Board Vice President Brian Coletti said that as an internal candidate, Schips “brings an intimate understanding of our district's goals and community, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in our strategic goals and plans.”

“He has a proven track record of fostering teacher-led initiatives, improving curriculum, and supporting classroom needs,” said Coletti. “We are excited to appoint Dr. Schips to this position and look forward to the future.”