The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Board of Education, in agreement with New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, has selected Mr. Christopher Barnard as its next District Superintendent. It is anticipated that Mr. Barnard will be appointed at a Special Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Most recently, Mr. Barnard served as Superintendent of the Manchester-Shortsville Central School District in Shortsville. Prior to that, he served as Superintendent of the Dundee Central School District from 2021 to 2023. His leadership experience also includes serving as a principal at Palmyra-Macedon Intermediate School and as an assistant principal at Victor Junior High School.

Mr. Barnard recently served as President of the Wayne-Finger Lakes Chief School Officer Executive Committee, further demonstrating his commitment to educational leadership and collaboration across the region. He was also selected to participate in a professional development program in Japan and South Korea with 30 superintendents and educators from across the United States. The two-week experience provided valuable opportunities to learn about East Asian education systems, practices, and culture.

Throughout his career, Mr. Barnard has been committed to supporting students, staff, and school communities while fostering collaborative and innovative educational environments. His commitment to community service extends beyond education, as he has served as a Sands Family YMCA Board Member and an ARC Ontario Community Advisory Board Member.

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the Wayne-Finger Lakes region as District Superintendent,” said Barnard. “This region has shaped both my personal and professional life and I care deeply about the students, schools and communities we serve. I believe our greatest opportunities come from working together, building strong relationships, and focusing on students. I look forward to working alongside our district partners to continue strengthening opportunities for every student.”

“We are very excited to welcome Mr. Barnard into our BOCES community,” said Board of Education President Pam Pendleton. “Throughout our extensive interview process, the Board greatly valued the feedback provided by a variety of stakeholder groups. It became clear that our organization and region are looking for a leader who can foster strong relationships while continuing to expand and strengthen opportunities for students, schools, and communities. The Board of Education is confident that Mr. Barnard’s passion, commitment, and collaborative leadership will serve our region well and continue to advance our shared commitment to Making Success Possible for all.”

The Board would also like to recognize and thank Lily Talcott, TST BOCES District Superintendent,  for her guidance throughout the search process. Her commitment was instrumental in helping the Board navigate this important process and identify the next leader of Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. 

The Board would also like to express its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Cathy Hauber, Ed.D, W-FL BOCES Interim District Superintendent and Monroe One BOCES District Superintendent, for her leadership, dedication, and support over the past eight months. Her commitment to our organization and the W-FL region has been deeply valued and will have a lasting impact on our organization and the school communities we partner with.  

Mr. Barnard will join the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES organization on November 2, 2026. 

Barnard, his wife and two children are residents of the Wayne-Finger Lakes region. In his free time he enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, exploring all that the region has to offer including great food and outdoor activities.