District outlines strategic planning, principal search and accepts facilities director retirement

The superintendent briefed the Exeter Region Cooperative School District board on strategic planning steps and principal-search scheduling, and the board accepted a facilities director retirement during its Nov. 19 meeting.

The board’s strategic planning committee reviewed a draft Qualtrics survey aligned with the district’s newly accepted vision statement and will finalize questions for distribution after the holiday break. The committee plans a March strategic planning summit made up of three half days for staff and community input; the administration said it will provide childcare, translators and transportation to encourage participation.

Administrators proposed a principal search timeline: job posting on Dec. 9, application closing Jan. 17, an organizational meeting Jan. 23, first-round interviews the week of Jan. 27, and board interviews in February (the administration suggested Feb. 18 for final interviews). Board members were asked to provide a representative for the first-round committee.

Superintendent Esther Asbell announced the retirement of facilities director Rusty Lister, with a last day of June 30, 2025, and asked the board to accept his letter of resignation with regret. The chair made the motion to accept the resignation and the board approved the motion by voice/hand.

Why it matters: The strategic planning process and principal search set near-term priorities for the district and shape hiring timelines; accepting a long-time facilities director’s retirement starts a personnel search that will affect operations and facilities management.

Next steps: The administration will publish the principal position on Dec. 9, collect applications through Jan. 17, hold the organizational meeting Jan. 23 and proceed with interview rounds as scheduled.