Interim principal at New Searles named

Schools Superintendent Christopher Hottel has appointed Jay Harding as interim principal of New Searles Elementary School for the upcoming school year.

Harding, a technology systems administrator, served as interim assistant principal at Elm Street Middle School last year, as Mike Fredericksen, the school’s regular assistant principal, filled in as interim principal.

The principal position at New Searles became vacant when Bill Pimley, a lifelong Nashua educator, decided to retire.

Earlier this summer, Harding was one of six finalists named to fill three elementary principal vacancies, but he was not chosen. Hottel said the New Searles position would be open to applicants beginning in the early spring of next year.

Hottel made the announcement at a school board meeting last week.