Greenville’s superintendent to step down next month

GREENVILLE―After four years at the helm of the Greenville Central School District, Superintendent Michael Bennett announced Monday that he will be stepping down next month.

In a letter to the community, Bennett said that when he arrived at GCS in March of 2022, he had every intention of retiring as superintendent.

“I’ve been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead in a new capacity, where I will work to advance the educational experience for students not only in Greenville but statewide,” said Bennett, who did not elaborate on the new position.

His last day at GCS will be April 13.

“Over the past four years, Greenville has become more than my place of work―it’s a second home. And that has made this decision all the more difficult,” said Bennett.

Bennett, who came to GCS following the retirement of former superintendent Tammy Sutherland, was previously the assistant superintendent in the Schodack Central School District, a position he has held for eight years. He also served as the middle school principal in Schodack from 2008-2012 and was a special education teacher in East Greenbush from 1998-2006.

He said his goal was never to be a superintendent.

“I didn’t intend to become an advocate for school safety. And 28 years ago, as a high school special education teacher, I certainly didn’t see myself serving at this level. But that’s the thing about life, the most meaningful journeys are usually the ones we never set out to take,” Bennett said.

On February 9, 2004, Bennett was working at Columbia High School in East Greenbush when a 16-year-old gunman opened fire with a shotgun in a hallway. Bennett, who was shot in the leg, was the only person injured before the student was safely taken into custody.

“Please understand my departure is not a reflection of our schools, Board of Education, staff, or community. I love Greenville and everything that this District stands for. I was not searching for opportunities elsewhere, but this one found me. And had it not, I wouldn’t be writing this letter,” Bennett said.

Over the coming weeks, Bennett said he will continue working closely with the Board of Education “to ensure a clear and smooth transition,” and regular updates will be shared with the community regarding the superintendent search process.

Greenville is not the only district in the county that will be looking for a new leader. Cairo-Durham Superintendent Michael Wetherbee announced in January that he will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Coxsackie-Athens recently hired Dr. Patrick Darfler-Sweeney as its interim superintendent as the district is searching for a permanent replacement for Randall Squier who retired in February.

“I’d like to thank you all for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading this district and overseeing the education and well-being of the next generation,” said Bennett.

“As I prepare for this next chapter, I will carry Greenville with me. I’ll miss high-fiving our elementary students at morning drop-off, witnessing music bring our students together at the Music in Our Schools concerts, visiting classrooms to see the creativity and dedication of our teachers, and, yes, I’ll probably even miss our silly snow day videos,” he said.