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PANAMA - The Panama Central School District has found its new superintendent moving forward.
During a special meeting held Monday, the Panama Board of Education announced the hiring of Aaron Wolfe as the district's next superintendent.
"I am humbled and honored to become the next superintendent of schools for the Panama Central School District," Wolfe said. "I am humbled because there is a long legacy of dedicated leadership in Panama, and I am honored as I consider it no small thing to be invited into such a culture of excellence."
Wolfe comes to Panama after serving the past six years as the director of human resources for the Olean City School District. He oversaw district hiring, contract negotiations, and staff operations.
Before his time in Olean, Wolfe served in several roles in the Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District, including Elementary Principal, 2013-16; High School Principal, 2010-13; and UPK-12 Curriculum Coordinator from 2007-10. He began his professional career as a Staff Specialist for Instructional Excellence at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES from 2003-07.
The search for a new superintendent began in April and was led by David O'Rourke, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES District Superintendent.
"It has been more than 11 years since the Panama Central School District worked through a superintendent search," O'Rourke said. "To that end, we were delighted to find several high-quality candidates who showed interest in becoming the next leader of the Panama Central School District. It was great to see the community and Board of Education coalesce around Aaron as the next superintendent of schools for Panama."
Wolfe's appointment will take effect on Oct. 1, following the retirement of current superintendent Bert Lictus, who has been with the district for the past 21 years.
Noting the already established leadership in the district, Wolfe said he would work to listen and learn how to best support the school community during his first year.
"I will seek to work with our team to continue to provide inspiring educational experiences and opportunities for our students so that whether their post-high school worlds are local, national, or global they are prepared as citizens ready to serve their communities with the relevant knowledge, sought after skills, and attributes of character that transforms those communities into better places," he said. "I look forward to this opportunity with gratitude, hope, and excitement."
Wolfe lives in Olean with his wife, Carrie, and son, Maxwell.