Important Dates

• Wednesday, August 12 - Hanover School Board Meeting - 7 PM, RAY
• Thursday, August 13 - Norwich School Board Meeting - 6:30 PM, MCS
• Tuesday, August 18 - Dresden School Board Meeting - 6 PM, HHS
• Tuesday, August 18 - SAU School Board Meeting - 7 PM, HHS
• Wednesday, August 26 - First Day of School for 2026-2027

District Calendar

From Our Superintendent

Dear Families and Staff,

As we bring another incredible school year to a close, we find ourselves at a bittersweet moment. While we look forward to the summer break, we also say a heartfelt goodbye to nine remarkable educators and staff members who are retiring.

Combined, these individuals have dedicated more than two centuries of service to our students, schools, and community. Their impact is woven into the very fabric of our district, and their absence will be deeply felt. Please join me in celebrating and thanking our 2026 retirees:

Hanover High School

• Sally Hair (24 Years): For nearly a quarter of a century, Sally has been a cornerstone of the HHS community. Her dedication to student growth in science and her steady presence coaching staff members have shaped students and staff.    
• Warren Tucker (13 Years): Warren’s 13 years at HHS have been marked by a deep commitment and passion to helping students achieve at high levels in mathematics and reach their full potential.
• Peter Isquith (7 Years): Though his time with us was the shortest of the group, Peter made every moment count, bringing invaluable expertise, energy, and care to our high schoolers.

Marion Cross Elementary School 

• Joyce Smollin (34 Years): It is hard to put into words the impact of a 34-year career. Joyce has been a pillar of the MCS community, welcoming decades of children and parents into the school with open arms.  Her legacy will endure for generations to come.

Bernice A. Ray Elementary School

• Della Domingue (39 Years Total): Della’s incredible 39-year career in schools includes 13 years at Orford and 26 wonderful years here at Ray. Her deep wisdom and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our district. 
• Kristin Olmstead (27 Years): For 27 years, Kristin has poured her heart into the Ray School, creating a vibrant environment where students felt safe to grow and thrive.
• Nan Parsons (6 Years): Nan brought immense warmth and dedication to the Ray School over the last six years, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the school family.

Frances C. Richmond Middle School 

• Clifford Harriman (32 Years): Thirty-two years of navigating the middle school years requires a special kind of magic. Cliff has spent over three decades guiding, mentoring, and inspiring RMS students with patience and humor.
• Anissa Morrison (33 Years Total): Anissa has served our community in two profound chapters—spending 26 years inspiring students in the classroom as a teacher, and the last 7 years guiding our school community as a dedicated administrator. Her leadership and vision have been a true gift.

To our retirees: Thank you for your tireless energy, your patience, your expertise, and the love you have poured into our schools. You have changed lives, and you will always be a part of our district family. We wish you all the joy, relaxation, and adventure you so richly deserve in this next chapter.

I would also like to thank Colleen Roy for serving as our Interim Principal of the Ray School this year. This is a difficult position to move into so late in the summer, but Colleen did this with such professionalism and knowledge.  I am greatly appreciative of her willingness to fill in for the school year. I would also like to thank Anissa Morrison for serving as Interim Principal at RMS.  Again, it was extremely late in the summer when Anissa stepped into this role, but I knew the school would be in steady hands. I am so thankful that Anissa and Colleen were willing to take on such difficult roles at the last minute.  

To our parents and staff: Thank you for your partnership throughout this school year. I wish you all a safe, happy, and restful summer.

Warm regards,

Robin Steiner
Superintendent of Schools

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Survey Results

On another note, we would like to share the results of the SAU70 Survey with you.  Normally, we do not publish these results until the beginning of the next school year.  However, thanks to our Dresden Board Chair, Ben Keeney, they are available early and attached below.  We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ben who has spent hundreds of hours putting the survey together, analyzing the results, completing redactions, and developing the PowerPoints and free text responses.  Thank you again to Ben for all his work!

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Board Meetings

We would love to have you join us at a meeting; however, we realize sometimes that’s hard to do.  Below you will find the Zoom links and start times to the upcoming Board meetings.

Should you encounter issues, the necessary zoom links, including passcodes, can be found on the SAU 70 calendar on the pop up of the event.  Meetings are also available on our YouTube channel, both live and on demand following the broadcast.

Regularly Scheduled Board Meetings for August and associated Zoom links:
 

Hanover Board Meeting - August 12, 2026 - 7 PM Bernice A. Ray Elementary School

Norwich Board Meeting - August 13, 2026 - 6:30 PM Marion Cross School

Dresden Board Meeting - August 18, 2026 - 6 PM Hanover High School Library

SAU Board Meeting - August 18, 2026 - 7 PM Hanover High School Library

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Contact a Board Chair

Gina des Cognets - SAU 70 Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for SAU Office and Staff
ginadescognets@hnsb.org

Benjamin Keeney - Dresden Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Hanover High School, Frances C. Richmond Middle School
benjamin.keeney@hnsb.org

Kelly McConnell - Hanover Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Bernice A. Ray School, Hanover Transportation, Hanover Special Education
kelly.mcconnell@hnsb.org

Garrett Palm - Norwich Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Marion Cross School, Norwich Transportation, Norwich Special Education
garrett.palm@hnsb.org

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Policy Updates

The Policy Committee meets monthly at the SAU. Meeting dates and times are available on the  SAU 70 Calendar. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ryanne Schoonover. 

Below you will find what was presented to the Boards this month. Staff members are encouraged to review the agenda, as some topics may be relevant to your role. You can find our documentation on our board governance solution, Simbli.

SAU 70 Updates - June 9, 2026 - The Board will review the following policies:

First Reading

EEAEA -Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing - School Bus Drivers and Contracted Carriers

 

Dresden Updates - June 9, 2026 - The Board will do a second reading of the following policies:

 

Hanover Updates - June 10, 2026 - The Board will review the following policies:

First Reading

 

Norwich Updates - June 3, 2026 - The Board will review the following policies:

First Reading

GBCD - Criminal Records Check

 

Second Reading

JF - Enrollment and Enrollment Capacities.

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Religious & Federal Holidays as identified by the Calendar Committee  

None identified by the Committee for June.

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Visit the Communications Department page for previous newsletters.

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