SAU16 Administrators Named To Nonprofit Leadership Positions

EXETER, NH — Three administrators from the Exeter-area SAU16 have been selected to serve as leaders on nonprofit educational boards. Superintendent David Ryan has been elected to the New England Regional Council of the College Board. Director of Student Services Helen Rist is the new president-elect of the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators (NHASEA), and Associate Superintendent Esther Asbell was appointed to the Executive Board of the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA).

Ryan, who is now completing his first year as superintendent at SAU16, began his three-year term on the New England Regional Council of the College Board in February. He represents New Hampshire on that board. Ryan has previously served on the board in other capacities, most recently as part of the Principals Advisory Council in 2013, according to School District officials. He was previously chosen as one of three finalists of National Association of Secondary School Principals' National High School Principal of the Year.

Ryan has also presented and facilitated professional development workshops at previous events held by the College Board, bringing table suggestions to the council, as well as issues and ideas on the board's programs and services. He has helped plan the regional forum and forum activities on an annual basis for the assembly and has volunteered to serve on ad hoc subcommittees during his three-year term.

Rist will begin her new role as the NHASEA president-elect on July 1. Previously, she has served the organization as a member at large on the board of directors. Before becoming director of student services for SAU16, Rist was principal of Newfields Elementary School.

As president-elect, Rist will assist with designing professional development offered by NHASEA, serve as an adviser to members of the association, and be a statewide voice for issues related to special education in the state.

Asbell is getting ready to start her two-year term on the Executive Board of NaBITA, a Pennsylvania-based organization that brings together a variety professionals focused on behavioral intervention at schools, college campuses and corporations for mutual support and shared learning. According to School District officials, SAU16 has worked with NaBITA to set protocols for identifying students who may pose a risk to themselves or others.

School District officials say that SAU16 is one of the districts that has adopted NaBITA protocols, and Asbell has attracted great interest from the organization as it looks to expand to more K-12 systems nationwide.

Asbell's term with NaBITA will begin in November. Part of her responsibilities will be to assist with planning the annual national conference, develop informative tips and articles for NaBITA publications and assist with national-level K-12 projects.

"We believe that all SAU16 employees have talent to share with their colleagues beyond the borders of our district, and we have always encouraged active engagement and leadership in organizations like these," said SAU16 Joint School Board Chairman Travis Thompson. "We are proud of Helen, Esther and David for their roles in advancing our mission at the state, regional, and national levels."