Grantham —
Guillette, 65, who is in her fifth year as part-time superintendent of the one-school supervisory unit in Grantham, previously served as superintendent of SAU 6 — which includes Claremont, Cornish and Unity — for nine years. Before that, she was assistant superintendent in Lebanon for two years and middle school principal in Lebanon for 10.
When she left SAU 6 in 2011, Guillette initially planned to devote her newfound free time primarily to building partnerships between educators and advanced manufacturers in New Hampshire. But when the Grantham post became available, some friends encouraged her to apply.
“Grantham has always been a place of great community and just a really nice, little place to be,” she said on Monday.
Her time in Grantham has included adding new technologies and managing the way they’re adopted, she said. In addition, under her guidance, the K-6 Grantham Village School has revamped curricula in all areas, she said.
During her tenure, the school began running its own after-school program, a service which previously had been offered through a private provider.
Also during her time, the School Board has ratified two agreements with the SAU’s teachers, and professional development and parental involvement have continued to be hallmarks of the school and the community, she said.
When Guillette leaves at the end of June, “we’re going to miss her,” School Board Chairwoman Carolyn Simon said.
Guillette has brought her experience with school budgets and relevant laws and processes to the small district, Simon said. And, in addition to her expertise in school leadership, Guillette also brought “a wonderful smiling personality,” Simon said.
Guillette, who has made a point throughout her career of living in the communities where she works, moved to Grantham when she took the job. She has built relationships with the community by working with town leaders and interacting with members of the public at community meetings and through newsletters, Simon said.
“She’s really known in the town,” Simon said. “She’s really made an effort.”
In her retirement, Guillette plans to continue to work with the Little League of Manufacturing, a program created by John Olson, the president of Charlestown’s Whelen Engineering, aimed at teaching high school students about work in manufacturing.
Through the Little League, she said, she aims to “let our young people and these families know that there are amazing careers to be had.”
Guillette also plans to spend some time recreating. In particular, she said she hopes to ride her motorcycle, named Joy — a gift from her husband for her 65th birthday last summer.
The School Board is putting together a search committee and will begin advertising for Guillette’s replacement this week, Simon said. She said the board hopes to find the new superintendent by mid-April or early May.
Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.
