WILBRAHAM — It perhaps is the modern equivalent of leaving a resume in the company copy machine: The superintendent of the Hampden-Wilbraham school district accidentally emailed an application for another job to more than 3,000 parents and staff in the school district.

The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District for the first time eliminated February vacation this year. Over the weekend, Superintendent Albert G. Ganem Jr. sent a letter to students, staff and parents thanking them for making the week a success.

Or he thought he did.

Instead of attaching the thank-you to the mass email, Ganem accidentally attached a cover letter he wrote around two years ago, which he used to apply for the position of superintendent of Newburyport. In it he touts his experience at the district and school levels, including his most recent experience as superintendent of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School district.

"It was by complete accident. I think everyone has done this at one time or another," he said. "I own it. We all make mistakes."

Ganem was the district manager of professional learning for the Worcester Public Schools before he was hired to take over Hampden-Wilbraham schools in 2016. He replaced Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea, who left to head Longmeadow Public Schools.

"I am very happy here. I have a lot of work I want to do in the Hampden-Wilbraham District," he said.

He said he did send a second letter apologizing to the school community for the error and sent the original thank-you letter.

"It is a good learning opportunity," he said. It is a tale of caution and reminds everyone to be careful before emailing or sending out anything on social media.

Although this letter was sent in error, superintendent turnover is constant in Massachusetts. On average a superintendent spends five years overseeing a district, according to the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents.

There are 275 superintendents in the state, and an average of 60 superintendents leave their jobs every year. About half retire and the other half leave for other jobs, typically at other districts, said Tom Scott, executive director of the association.

It is competitive to find a good superintendent, and experienced and successful superintendents are constantly being recruited for other positions. For every open position, between 20 and 25 people apply, which is much lower than it used to be. Of that total typically three or four candidates are viable ones, Scott said.

Many people do not understand superintendents may send out application letters to explore other opportunities but often drop out early in the process.

"Money can be a factor but that is often not the most important one," Scott said. "Most people move because they think they can be successful and feel they can make a difference."

When Ganem was hired, he earned a salary of $149,000 to oversee the district that has 3,057 students and six schools. The Newburyport superintendent, who was hired in March 2016, earns $172,000 a year and oversees a school district of 2,232 students and four schools.

Scott said Ganem called him after the error and said he was embarrassed about it.

While many people may have thought Ganem does not want to be in Hampden-Wilbraham Schools, Scott said that is not often the case. In their discussion Ganem repeated that he is happy in the job.