Elementary School Principal

The Bernice A. Ray Elementary School community in Hanover, NH, is seeking a skilled and caring educator to serve as its next principal. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with a talented staff and a supportive community. The Ray School serves students in Hanover, New Hampshire, the home of Dartmouth College. The Ray School is a high-performing public school of 460 students and 99 employees, including 62 certified staff and 37 support staff, with an operating budget of nearly $17 million. The school offers a wide-ranging curriculum and extensive arts and co-curricular programs. Students score consistently high in national competitions and state testing.

Situated in the beautiful Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, a short drive to the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the area offers innumerable recreational opportunities. The proximity of Dartmouth College provides rich cultural opportunities, and the cities of Boston, MA, Portland, ME, and Burlington, VT are nearby.

The principal is responsible for the instructional leadership and day-to-day management of the school, the oversight of all certified staff members and instructional assistants, and the development and management of the budget. The successful candidate will bring high energy and vision to make a great school truly extraordinary.

Minimum qualifications for the position include a relevant Master's Degree and eligibility for New Hampshire principal certification. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, with accommodation for qualifications and experience. To apply for this position, please visit the SAU 70 Employment website (https://sau70.schoolspring.com?jobid=5483934). All application information is strictly confidential until finalists are invited. The deadline for applications and all supporting materials is Monday, February 2, 2026, with an anticipated start date of July 1.

To apply for this position, please visit https://sau70.schoolspring.com/. All application information is strictly confidential until finalists are invited.

Application deadline is February 2, 2026, with an anticipated start date of July 1.

Letters should be addressed to:

Robin Steiner, Superintendent

SAU 70

41 Lebanon Street, Suite 2

Hanover, NH 03755

For more information about our school and school district, please visit our websites at res.sau70.organd www.sau70.org.

Benefits for this position can be found in theAdministrator I Standard Benefits. Please visit theInformation for New Hires pagefor more.

TheHanover School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

POSITION TITLE: BUILDING PRINCIPAL

Job Description Approved By: SAU 70

Date:

October 2018

General Purpose:

The Building Principal serves as the educational leader and chief administrator of the school responsible for implementing and managing the policies, regulations, and procedures of the District to ensure that all students are supervised in a safe child centered learning environment that meets and exceeds the State Core Curriculum Content Standards

Reports to:

Superintendent of Schools

Supervises:

Teaching staff, educational support staff, professional and nonprofessional school staff, other resource and service personnel while functioning in the assigned school

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Except as specifically noted, the following functions are considered essential to this position:

• Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all students and staff
• Organize, manage, evaluate, and supervise effective and clear procedures for the operation and functioning of the school consistent with the philosophy, mission, values and goals of the school and district
• Ensure that the instructional programs engage the learner in tasks that require analytical and critical thinking
• Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school personnel, and agencies associated with the school.
• Maintain visibility with students, staff, parents, and the community, attending school and community functions regularly to demonstrate a genuine interest in the students and staff.
• Supervise the schools education program.
• Assume responsibility for the implementation and observance of all school board policies and regulations by the schools staff and/or students.
• Assist in the development, revisions and evaluation of the curriculum.
• Supervise professional, paraprofessional and nonprofessional personnel attached to the school.
• Encourage the self-improvement and professional growth of staff members.
• Assist in the recruiting, screening, training, assigning, re-assigning and evaluating of the schools (professional-paraprofessional) staff to accomplish instruction goals and/or improve the instructional program.
• Assume responsibility for the safety and administration of the school and cooperate with the Facilities Director to maintain school grounds and facilities.
• Maintain current inventory of equipment.
• Identify and delegate authority for the responsibility of the school in the absence of the Principal.
• Schedule school time to provide for the efficient conducting of school instruction and business.
• Plan and supervise fire drills and an emergency preparedness programs.
• Maintain high standards of student conduct and enforce discipline as necessary, according due process to the rights of students.
• Supervise and evaluate the schools extra-curricular program.
• Assist and/or provide in-service orientation and training of all teachers including those with administrative duties.
• Supervise and be responsible for the preparation of all school reports for the School District, State Department of Education, and District School Board as well as attend all Administrative Team meetings.
• Make recommendations concerning the schools administration, instruction and schedule to the central office.
• Assume responsibility for the attendance, conduct, health and safety of students.
• Assist in the management and preparation of the school budget.
• Assist in the coordination of school wide testing program, in addition to test administration and interpretation of results.
• Maintain accurate and complete records on the progress, attendance and enrollment of students and provide for the proper use, storage and retention of records.
• Act as liaison between the school and the community, interpreting activities and policies of the school and encouraging community participation in school life.
• Assist in establishing good staff-board relations.
• Facilitate special conferences between parents and teachers as needed or requested.
• Recommend the removal or non-renewal of staff whose work is unsatisfactory, according to established procedures.
• Conduct meetings of the staff in order to enhance communication, planning and the proper functioning of the school.
• Evaluate student programs and staff in relation to the positive goals of the district and school
• Attend school board meetings; make presentations and reports relative to school building operations and program implementation and/or development when requested.
• During difficult situations will carry through responsibilities in a professional manner.
• Maintain accurate and complete records on all school and petty cash accounts, emergency forms and purchases.
• Comply with all SAU 70 District policy and building / department rules, procedures, practices and objectives.
• Any other duties assigned by the Superintendent and/or the School Board.

This general outline illustrates the type of work, which characterizes the Job Classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

Evaluation:

• Performance of duty responsibilities will be reviewed annually by the Superintendent

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Full-Time
• Year Round
• Exempt

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• A masters degree with a major in educational administration or equivalent
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in education with at least three (3) years in school administration and supervision and (3) three years as a teacher.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Visionary, student focused instructional leader with the ability to motivate and engage staff and students
• Ability to strengthen and promote a culture in the building that incorporates the Districts core values of responsibility, respect, citizenship and integrity
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership and team-building abilities with skills in conflict resolution
• Working knowledge of issues facing public education in New Hampshire including competency based education and personalized learning and ability to be an innovative change agent on these issues
• Ability to establish and develop a strong working relationship with other administrators, faculty and staff and communicate clearly and effectively in a manner that is firm but fair as well as use empathy, care and praise as appropriate
• Must be highly organized with the ability to follow through with tasks and promises
• Exhibits excellent integrity, moral character, creativity and initiative
• Ability to support the integration of curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies to support student learning
• Knowledge of special education requirements and programs.
• Ability to be visible at school functions and activities including those that may occur on weekends or after school hours
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to remain calm in difficult situations.
• Ability to successfully multi-task within role.
• Ability to accurately and expeditiously type correspondence, reports and memoranda according to standard business practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid New Hampshire Principal certification or proof of eligibility

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:

Primary Physical Requirements:

(Not, Rarely, Occasionally, or Frequently Required)

1. Lift up to 10 lbs:

Frequently required

2. Lift 11 to 25 lbs:

Occasionally required

3. Lift 25 to 50 lbs:

Rarely required

4. Lift over 50 lbs:

Not required

5. Carry up to 10 lbs:

Frequently required

6. Carry 11 to 25 lbs:

Rarely required

7. Carry 26 to 50 lbs:

Not required

8. Carry over 50 lbs:

Not required

9. Reach above shoulder height:

Occasionally required

10. Reach at shoulder height:

Occasionally required

11. Reach below shoulder height:

Occasionally required

12. Push/Pull:

Rarely required

Hand Manipulation:

(Not, Rarely, Occasionally, or Frequently Required)

1. Keyboarding:

Frequently required

2. Gross Manipulation:

Frequently required

3. Fine Manipulation:

Frequently required

Other Physical Consideration:

(Not, Rarely, Occasionally, or Frequently Required)

1. Twisting:

Not required

2. Bending:

Occasionally required

3. Crawling:

Not required

4. Squatting:

Occasionally required

5. Kneeling:

Not required

6. Crouching:

Occasionally required

7. Climbing:

Not required

8. Balancing:

Rarely required

During the Work Day, Employee is Required to:

1. Sit:

up to 3 consecutive hours

2. Stand:

up to 3 consecutive hours

3. Walk:

up to 1 consecutive hour

Cognitive and Sensory Requirement(s):

• Effectively exchange and receive information and instructions , and respond to inquiries;
• Communicate with others;
• Observe students and staff to ensure safety

Work Environment: Inside: up to 100%

Outside: up to 20%

Work Surface(s): Office Desk, Office Chair

Carpeted floor, tile floor

Other Training, Skills and Experience Requirements:

Ability to work with staff, students, parents, and the community

Other Considerations and Requirements:

The physical demands of an employee in a Principal role are minimal. The employee is occasionally required to do some lifting. Employee is typically able to sit and stand as needed.

Applicants will be subjected to a criminal background check as required by state law.