Rikli to Lead ESU 3 as Schnoes Retires
Papillion La Vista superintendent Andy Rikli will take over Nebraska's largest Educational Service Unit on July 1, succeeding Dan Schnoes.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
Papillion La Vista Community Schools Superintendent Andy Rikli will become chief executive of Educational Service Unit 3 on July 1, 2027, when Dan Schnoes retires on June 30. ESU 3 is the largest of Nebraska's Educational Service Units.
Why it matters
The move places a longtime Papillion La Vista leader at the helm of an agency serving 86,000 students across 18 districts, affecting school support services throughout the state's education system. Rikli said the decision to leave his current post was not easy.
ESU 3 operates on a $45 million budget and serves 86,000 students and 5,400 staff across 18 districts. Rikli's 2026-2027 salary is $283,557, and he has led Papillion La Vista since July 2013.
The players
Andy Rikli
Andy Rikli is the superintendent of Papillion La Vista Community Schools, a role he has held since 2013, and was named Nebraska State Superintendent of the Year in 2023.
Dan Schnoes
Dan Schnoes is the outgoing chief executive of Educational Service Unit 3, retiring after 44 years in education.
Educational Service Unit 3
Educational Service Unit 3 is Nebraska's largest regional education service agency, serving 18 districts and established as part of the state's ESU system created by the Legislature in 1965.
The details
Rikli will replace Schnoes, who has worked 44 years in education, as ESU 3 chief executive when the transition takes effect July 1. Rikli previously spent 10 years with Westside Community Schools in Omaha before joining Papillion La Vista.
Timeline
July 2013: Rikli became superintendent of Papillion La Vista Community Schools.
2023: Rikli was named Nebraska State Superintendent of the Year.
June 30, 2027: Dan Schnoes retires as ESU 3 chief executive.
July 1, 2027: Rikli takes over leadership of ESU 3.
Season Trajectory
Educational Service Units were created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1965 to provide shared services to school districts across the state. The leadership transition at ESU 3 extends that regional framework under a new chief executive.
Families and educators in the 18 districts served by ESU 3 may see the regional agency's leadership change on July 1, 2027. Current district operations are not expected to change based on the information provided.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at regional education agencies like ESU 3 carry through to the support services that dozens of school districts rely on each year. Readers interested in state education governance can watch how the transition unfolds over the coming months.
What happens next
Rikli takes over ESU 3 on July 1, 2027, following Schnoes's June 30 retirement.
Further reading
Explore more Nebraska education administration coverage for context on regional school leadership.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JournalStar.
