HAMBURG, N.Y. — After nine years leading the Hamburg Central School District, superintendent Michael Cornell is stepping down at the end of the year.
The announcement was made Tuesday during the district's reorganizational meeting and the school board accepted his resignation.
Cornell took over the district during a tumultuous period but rose to become a local leader in education, as the President of the Erie Niagara Superintendents Association - that is despite calls for his resignation during budget discussions this spring.
The school board was informed that Cornell intended to retire in November 2023 as soon as he was eligible.
It was six months earlier, Cornell said that his wife, a teacher in the North Tonawanda School District brought up the idea of retiring together.
“We always wanted to retire as close as we could together and leave full-time work while we still loved it. This allows us to do just that,” said Cornell in a message to 2 On Your Side.
Cornell's wife retired at the end of the school year after 32 years.
Over the past several months, the school board said it began a "very purposeful" succession plan and eyed several candidates to succeed Cornell.
Ultimately, Hamburg Middle School Principal Thomas "Tom" Adams has been tapped by the school board. He will assume the role of superintendent effective January 5, 2025.
Cornell offered to stay on with the district through the end of the year to help with the transition process, which the school board accepted.
In a statement, the school board said to expect more announcements and information to be released during the leadership transition process.
They also thanked Cornell for his service to the district and welcomed Adams as the next superintendent.