Ann Forrest named permanent ConVal superintendent

Ann Forrest receives the 2021 Outstanding Service Award from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association. COURTESY PHOTO CONVAL
Published: 01-23-2025 1:01 PM |
The ConVal School Board has voted unanimously to hire Ann Forrest as superintendent as of the ConVal School district.
Forrest has been serving as interim superintendent since the departure of Kimberly Rizzo Saunders in August 2024.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing Doctor Forrest on board,” said School Board Chair Dick Dunning. “As a school board, we had a unique opportunity to watch a potential candidate on the job these past six months. This is an opportunity that you often don’t get as a board. We could not be happier.”
Forrest previously stated to the board that said she would be honored to serve the district as superintendent.
“I live in the district, and I love running into students. I have known some of them since they were in first grade, and it it is an honor and a privilege to see how far they have come. I care about this district, and I believe in investing in this district,” Forrest said. “We need to create a climate in our district where we can take a breath and feel good about the changes we are making. We need to maximize to the greatest degree possible the the range of opportunities we offer to our students, and we need to maximize our students ability to recognize and take advantage of these opportunities. I don’t want assume I know everything because I have been here for so long. This job is not about one person’s vision; it is about engaging the entire community.”
The board decided to forgo a national search for a new superintendent and offer the position to Forrest.
“The entire board is supportive of who Ann is what she has done,” Dunning said. “She has already dealt with some with extremely trying times and handled them really well. She is soundly supported by the staff and we have head nothing but positive remarks from the community.”
Dunning said public support for Forrest was evident from her first day on the job.
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“The moment Ann got up to speak at our opening ceremony at ConVal this year, she got a standing ovation from the entire audience,” Dunning said. “I have been with the district for 51 years, and I never seen that happen before. It was just so heartwarming. There is just such a positive atmosphere she has brought to the district.”
Dunning said the board has confidence in Forrest’s ability to handle the challenges facing the district.
“Ann is in a very unique situation where she can make adjustments based on her knowledge long history with the district. She has already hade to make some very tough decisions around the budget, especially with staff reductions, and it is very hard to make those decisions,” Dunning said. “There are trying times ahead, but we are very confident in Ann’s leadership.”
Forrest earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Vermont, her master’s degree in reading from the University of New Hampshire and her doctorate in educational leadership from Boston College. She joined the ConVal School District in 2008 as a literacy coach and served as principal of Antrim Elementary School and Pierce School in Bennington from 2013 to 2016.
Prior to being named assistant superintendent, Forrest served in curriculum, instruction and assessment for the district. In 2021, Forrest received the Outstanding Service Award from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA) for exemplary achievement and leadership.