Bethlehem Area School District has tapped the next principal of Hanover Elementary School.
Ralph Andrews will take the reins at the Hanover Township school pending board approval at its Sept. 22 meeting.
“His leadership experience, instructional expertise, and dedication to positive school culture make him an excellent fit for our BASD school community,” Bethlehem Superintendent Jack P. Silva said in a news release.
Andrews has worked as the elementary principal for both Parkside Education Center and S.S. Palmer Elementary School in the Palmerton Area School District since 2021.
Andrews began his career in education as a middle school math teacher for Palmerton Area. He then went on to serve as assistant principal at Roberto Clemente Charter School in Allentown before returning to Palmerton Area.
Andrews holds multiple degrees in education, earning 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.
If approved by the school board, Andrews would join the school later this fall.
Bethlehem Area’s Supervisor of Equity Initiatives Eric Fontanez assumed administrative responsibilities at Hanover Elementary earlier this year, after Principal Erin Colleen Hines faced DUI charges stemming from a vehicle crash in March, according to city police.
Police allege that Hines was driving drunk when she struck three parked cars at the Stefko Shopping Center.
A blood-alcohol content test revealed Hines had a level of 0.326% at the time of the accident, city police said. Penalties for most drivers in Pennsylvania begin at 0.08%.
Hines was subsequently placed on a leave of absence from her position at the school.
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