The district’s Board of Education officially appointed Eschler at a board meeting Thursday night.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join and work with this community. I look forward to a strong collaboration with the families, staff and community members, so we can best serve our students,” Eschler said. “I'm encouraged by the work that the board and Dr. Richards have accomplished together and with the staff in this past year. This will launch us forward in several important ways, into our next stage of growth and development."

Retired educator Randy Richards has been serving as interim superintendent for the district during the hiring process.

"Timely, proactive communication will be a high priority as we head into the second half of the school year. I genuinely hope that anyone and everyone will feel totally comfortable to reach out to me, share, inquire, or just visit with me. Getting to know each other well is critical to us forging a strong partnership," Eschler said.

Most recently a top administrator at Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES in Ithaca, Eschler worked as an educational consultant from 2010 to 2018, and she has held leadership positions at Queensbury Union Free School District, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES and Northville Central School District. Locally, she worked with Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES as well as two other BOCES from 1995 to 2002 on standards implementation and technology integration.

Eschler has a Doctor of Education from Sage Graduate School, an administration certificate from SUNY Plattsburgh, a master’s degree from SUNY Albany and a bachelor’s from SUNY Potsdam.

“I am excited to have Dr. Eschler join our team and continue to lead the district in a positive direction,” said school board President Matthew Goodrow. “Her collaborative approach, strong leadership skills and eagerness to meet with families will help the students, staff and the community in striving to become a flagship district.”