Gering names new high school principal

GERING, NE — A school in western Nebraska has named a new high school principal nearly two months after terminating their old principal in December. 

Mario Chavez has been named the new Gering High School Principal, according to a news release from the district. 

"Mario has an unwavering dedication to our students that is built on a genuine love of education and a passion to connect and build relationships," Gering Superintendent Dr. Nicole Regan said in the news release.

Chavez is a western Nebraska native, having grown up in the Scottsbluff/Gering area. He has worked at Gering Public Schools since 2018 in multiple administrative roles, most recently as Assistant Principal beginning in 2020. 

Prior to working at Gering, Chavez worked at Western Nebraska Community College and Scottsbluff Public Schools. 

Chavez's predecessor Rocky Schneider was placed on administrative leave before in mid-December before being let go by Gering Public Schools in later that month. In a special meeting on Dec. 30, insubordinate and unprofessional behavior and failing to report serious incidents at the high school to Regan were cited as reasons to cancel Schneider's contract, which the school board did that night.

Chavez had been serving as interim principal since Schneider's firing.