Dr. Esther Asbell is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in K-12 school administration. She earned her Doctorate in Education Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022, and holds certifications in Superintendent, Principal, and Director of School Counseling. Dr. Asbell assumed the role of Superintendent for SAU #16 in Exeter, NH, on July 1, 2023. 

As Superintendent, Dr. Asbell will continue to provide leadership, technical support, and information to schools in order to develop, achieve, and maintain quality educational programs. She will continue coaching building level leaders, oversee school safety and social emotional learning, and writing and administering grants. Dr. Asbell also serves as the designated superintendent for the Exeter and Exeter Region Cooperative School Districts, where she coordinates and supports the facilitation of all board meetings and oversees the budget process. 

Prior to her current position, Dr. Asbell worked as a District Improvement Facilitator, Middle School Guidance Counselor, and Assistant Principal in various New Hampshire and Maine schools. She has received multiple awards for her outstanding service and has presented at various educational conferences on topics including K-12 threat assessment teams, compassionate care systems for educators, and asset-based teacher evaluation. 

Dr. Asbell also serves on several boards and organizations, including being President Elect of the New Hampshire School Administrator Association Executive Board and the National Association for Behavioral Interventions and Threat Assessment Advisory Board. In her free time, Dr. Asbell enjoys riding and showing Morgan horses as a member of the American Morgan Horse Association.