Final Three Candidates Chosen for SAU 46 Superintendent

Visits to AE/MS planned for mid-January

Press release

The SAU 46 superintendent search committee representing the Merrimack Valley School Board and the Andover School Board is pleased to announce the finalist candidates for the Superintendent of Schools position presently held by Dr. Michael Martin, who will retire on June 30, 2014.

Dr. Elaine Arbour is presently the assistant superintendent in SAU 6, serving Claremont, Cornish, and Unity. She received her Doctor of Education from Argosy University in Florida, majoring in Educational Leadership. Dr. Arbour has done additional graduate work in education leadership at Plymouth State University as well as Keene State.

Prior to coming to SAU 6, she served as an Adjunct Professor at Castleton State College. Her position at SAU 6 involves leading curriculum development work, writing and managing grants, and providing professional development opportunities. She has served on various committees throughout the district, including serving as the chair of NHSAA Southwest Region’s Curriculum Administrators.

Dr. Michael Jette is presently the principal for the Merrimack Valley High School, where he has served in this capacity since 2004. During his tenure, he was recognized as the 2010 New Hampshire Secondary Principal of the Year. He has been involved in all aspects of leading the high school, including the creation of the Grade 9 Academy, the evaluation and supervision of the faculty and staff, providing school leadership for the $12.5 million renovation project, and the NEASC reaccreditation process in 2011.

Dr. Jette received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of New Hampshire. He has been a member of the Merrimack Valley School District since 1991, serving as a teacher and assistant principal before assuming the role of principal.

Mr. Mark MacLean is presently the assistant superintendent for the Kearsarge Regional School District serving Bradford, Newbury, New London, Springfield, Sutton, Warner, and Wilmot. His primary role is overseeing curriculum and assessment for the district, which includes establishing with others a vision and standards for instruction, relevant training for implementing the curriculum, as well as fostering articulations regarding curriculum and instruction among the buildings and grade levels.

Mr. MacLean received his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University in 2012. Prior to coming to Kearsarge, he served as the Dean of Academics at Alvirne High School. From 1996 to 2007, Mr. MacLean was a business/computer teacher and coordinator at Merrimack Valley High School.

SAU 46 is planning to hold the final stages of the search process in mid-January. When timelines are finalized, meetings with the candidates for employees from both districts as well the public will be scheduled. Details here.