BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Fountain Hill Elementary School soon will have a new principal who is joining Bethlehem Area from a neighboring district.
Bethlehem Area School Board on Monday approved hiring Elise Jones, an Easton Area administrator, to lead Fountain Hill at a salary of $130,000.
Jones, who has more than 15 years experience in public education, will take the helm at a time of transition for Fountain Hill.
This academic year students are learning at a temporary facility while site work continues for a new Fountain Hill school building that soon will be constructed from the ground up at 1330 Church St.
That’s where the previous Fountain Hill school building stood.
The new building, which will cost $59 million to build, is slated to open for students by the 2027-28 academic year.
Fountain Hill's previous principal, Courtney Stambaugh, resigned from the position. Her last day was Oct. 7.
Joseph Anthes has been serving as interim principal of Fountain Hill until Jones starts on the job.
Anthes also is the district's supervisor of related arts and social studies, K-12.
Jones’ start date with Fountain Hill is to be determined.
Jones to join BASD from Easton Area
Currently, Jones is principal of Easton Area Middle School. Previously, she led Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton for six years.
Jones has expertise in “literacy instruction, inclusive education and building positive school cultures,” according to a Bethlehem Area School District news release.
Jones also has experience closing achievement gaps, using trauma-informed practices and fostering relationships with district families and community partners, the release said.
"We are excited to welcome Ms. Jones. Her leadership experience, instructional expertise, and commitment to building strong school communities make her an outstanding addition to the BASD team."Jack Silva, Bethlehem Area Superintendent
Jones received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wilkes University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Moravian University.
She also has an elementary education certification from Moravian.
In a statement, Silva praised Jones’ “leadership experience, instructional expertise, and commitment to building strong school communities,” saying those attributes make her an “outstanding addition” to the district.
Jones will focus on academic growth, inclusive practices and family engagement, according to the BASD news release.
Hanover Elementary also gets new leader
The district also recently hired Ralph Andrews as the new principal of Hanover Elementary School.
He will start on the job Nov. 24 at a salary of $124,829.
Andrews comes to BASD from Palmerton Area School District in Carbon County. He is currently the elementary principal for both Parkside Education Center and S.S. Palmer Elementary School.
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, police said.
She is no longer employed by Bethlehem Area.
