Rikli to Lead Nebraska's Largest ESU in July

Families in the 18 ESU 3 districts will see new leadership take over shared school services when the transition takes effect in July 2027.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration

Isometric editorial illustration of identical pale brick service buildings along a single paved road across flat prairie, evoking shared regional school services. — Papillion La Vista Superintendent Andy Rikli will take over as chief of Nebraska's largest Educational Service Unit, ESU 3, on July 1, 2027, when Dan Schnoes retires. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Papillion La Vista Community Schools Superintendent Andy Rikli will become chief executive of Nebraska's largest Educational Service Unit, ESU 3, taking over July 1, 2027, when current chief Dan Schnoes retires on June 30.

Why it matters

ESU 3 supports school districts across the Omaha area, so leadership changes affect the services and staffing that Nebraska families rely on for their children's schooling. Rikli's move comes as Schnoes closes out 44 years in education, and the board says it will share more about its search process in the coming weeks.

Rikli takes over ESU 3 on July 1, 2027, after Schnoes retires June 30. ESU 3 operates on a $45 million budget and serves 86,000 students across 18 districts.

The players

Andy Rikli

Superintendent of Papillion La Vista Community Schools since 2013 and 2023 Nebraska State Superintendent of the Year, who will lead ESU 3.

Dan Schnoes

Outgoing ESU 3 chief executive retiring after 44 years in education.

ESU 3

Nebraska's largest Educational Service Unit, serving 86,000 students and 5,400 staff across 18 districts.

The details

Educational Service Units were created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1965 to provide shared support services to school districts. ESU 3 is the state's largest, and its chief executive coordinates those services for districts across the region. Rikli, who has led Papillion La Vista since July 2013, previously spent 10 years with Westside Community Schools in Omaha. He was named Nebraska State Superintendent of the Year in 2023.

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.

The Home Front

Educational Service Units were established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1965 to share support services across districts. Leadership changes at large units like ESU 3 shape how those shared services reach communities statewide.

If your child attends a school in the Omaha area or another ESU 3 district, check your district's newsletter over the coming months for updates on shared services and leadership. Families who rely on ESU 3 programs for special education or career-technical training may want to note the July 1, 2027 transition date.

The takeaway

Leadership at ESU 3 will change hands on July 1, 2027, when Rikli succeeds Schnoes. Families in participating districts should watch for the board's search updates and keep the transition date on their school calendar.