New SAU 16 Superintendent Esther Asbell on Leadership

The new superintendent of SAU 16, Esther Asbell, said her focus going into the school year is to ‘strive to really give our students what they need.’

Asbell is no stranger to the Exeter area district SAU 16.

She served as the school district’s assistant superintendent, then associate superintendent for more than 12 years.

The SAU 16 Joint Board voted last November to appoint her to the position to succeed David Ryan upon his departure at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

One of the current administrative team’s initiatives is a Community Parent Night, where parents were invited to discuss areas of improvement.

While Asbell noted that positive changes did occur from past leaders, she is hopeful the new team will reach the bigger picture.