April 11, 2025

Homer Board of Education Selects Jeffrey Evener

as New Superintendent of Schools

Following a four-month search process, the Homer Central School District is excited to announce that pending successful contract negotiations, Jeffrey Evener,who currently serves as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, has been selected as its next Superintendent of Schools.

Evener will replace Homer Superintendent Thomas M. Turck, who is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Turck is wrapping up a 30-year career in education, most of it in Homer. Before he became the superintendent in July 2018, he served as the  junior high principal for 15 years and the intermediate school principal for four years.

Board President Aaron Bouwens said, “Mr. Evener has a proven record at Homer as a knowledgeable, approachable and respected leader. He highlighted Evener's wealth of expertise across several key areas, including communication, curriculum, instruction, assessment, personnel management, labor relations, operations, capital projects and school finance.”

Evener is expected to begin his new position on July 1, pending the successful completion of contract negotiations.

Mr. Evener shared,  “It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected to serve as the next superintendent for our wonderful district. I would like to thank the Board of Eduction for entrusting me to help lead our district into the future. I’m excited to work alongside our students, staff, families, and community as your next superintendent.” 

Evener takes the helm at Homer with a 23-year career in public education. He has served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Homer for the past  three and a half years. Before Homer, he worked six years as the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Operations for the Auburn Enlarged City School District. He also worked in leadership positions in the Groton and Lansing school districts. His titles have included teacher, director of curriculum, director of athletics, and principal at both the middle and high school levels. Outside of his work in Homer, Evener serves as an adjunct professor at Le Moyne College, where he teaches labor relations to aspiring school administrators.

Evener was born and raised in the Cayuga County town of Summerhill and is a graduate of the Groton Central School District. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Cortland. A lifelong resident of the greater Cortland area, he has deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to public service. Evener served as mayor of the Village of Groton for six years and completed three terms as a village trustee.

His family includes his wife, Beth, a school counselor at Homer High School; two sons who attend Homer schools; and a 3-year-old daughter. 

The Homer Board of Education launched a nationwide search for a new superintendent in November 2024 with assistance from Matt Cook, Ed.D., District Superintendent of the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES. The search included a community survey that helped the Board of Education establish priorities for the desired qualities in a candidate. The search also included interviews and meetings among various district stakeholder groups. The community recently had a chance to learn about the final three candidates in a series of public forums. The three finalists were: Evener; Jonna Ball,  Executive Director for Special Education and Grant Development for the Liverpool Central School District;  and Cazenovia Superintendent Chris DiFulvio.

Members of the Board of Education would like to thank everyone in the district and in the Homer community who gave their time and input into this important decision.