BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The search continues for a permanent principal at Hanover Elementary School.
Ralph Andrews has declined the offer, according to an agenda item on tonight’s Bethlehem Area School Board meeting.
Currently a principal in Palmerton Area School District, Andrews was tabbed as the new principal in September, pending board approval.
BASD Superintendent Jack Silva, in an email to LehighValleyNews.com on Monday afternoon, said the school district is currently interviewing candidates to fill the Hanover Elementary position.
"We anticipate the board approving a new principal on Monday, Dec. 15," Silva said.
"As far as Mr. Andrews’ reason for declining the offer, that was for his own personal reasons and as such is a personnel matter that is not for me to discuss publicly."
The previous Hanover Elementary principal, Erin Hines, was placed on leave in March after she was arrested and charged with drunken driving. She had crashed into three cars in a shopping center parking lot.Bethlehem Area School District
Andrews is principal at both Parkside Education Center and S.S. Palmer Elementary School in the Palmerton Area School District, Carbon County.
Prior to his current position, Andrews was assistant principal at Roberto Clemente Charter School, Allentown.
The previous Hanover Elementary principal, Erin Hines, was placed on leave in March after she was arrested and charged with drunken driving. She had crashed into three cars in a shopping center parking lot.
Hines had led the school in Hanover Township, Northampton County, since 2019.
Eric Fontanez, supervisor of BASD's Office of Equity, has served as acting principal at Hanover Elementary since Hines' incident.
Andrews began his career in education in Palmerton Area, teaching sixth grade, as well as eighth-grade math.
Andrews holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Cabrini University, a master’s degree in classroom technology from Wilkes University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Penn State University.
