Superintendent

Dr. Brian J. Blake, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Brian J. Blake is in his 24th year as a superintendent, bringing a wealth of leadership experience to the Ipswich Public Schools, where he has served for the past eight years. Prior to joining Ipswich, Dr. Blake led the Sanborn Regional, Hopkinton, and Farmington, New Hampshire school districts.

Before becoming a superintendent, Dr. Blake served as a Director of Student Services and Associate School Psychologist. His early career also includes work as a counselor at the Spaulding Youth Center and in residential treatment facilities in New Jersey, where he supported students with diverse emotional and behavioral needs.

Dr. Blake earned his Bachelor’s degree in Individual and Family Studies from Penn State University, a Master’s degree in Psychology from New York University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University.

Throughout his career, Dr. Blake has guided school districts through complex challenges and transformative initiatives. He has successfully led communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, managed significant budget reductions, overseen the construction of new school facilities, and provided steady leadership during times of crisis. Known for his calm demeanor and collaborative leadership style, Dr. Blake is often called upon to help districts find stability and direction during times of transition.

During his tenure in the Sanborn Regional School District, Dr. Blake spearheaded the district’s first strategic plan in nearly two decades, established a new supervision and evaluation model, introduced standards-based report cards, and developed a comprehensive professional development master plan. His leadership was instrumental in transforming Sanborn into one of the first fully competency-based school systems in the country—a model that received both state and national recognition.

Dr. Blake has served as President of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA), where he chaired the legislative and scholarship committees and contributed to professional development initiatives. He also served as superintendent liaison to the New Hampshire Music Educators’ Association and was a member of Governor Maggie Hassan’s Task Force on STEM Education. In 2016, he was honored as the New Hampshire Superintendent of the Year for his pioneering work in competency-based education and the state’s groundbreaking PACE Project, which reimagined student assessment and accountability. He has presented on these topics at both state and national levels, including to the U.S. Secretary of Education.

In Ipswich, Dr. Blake’s leadership has been marked by continued innovation and steady progress. His accomplishments include:

• Successfully bringing the district’s elementary schools together under a unified vision
• Leading the district through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rapid deployment of 1:1 technology, a strong return-to-learn plan, and minimized learning loss
• Establishing a “waterfall” curriculum review cycle to ensure continuous improvement
• Implementing a comprehensive Strategy for District Improvement
• Enhancing school security measures
• Prioritizing student mental health and counseling services in response to post-pandemic needs

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Blake is active in his church community and enjoys spending time on Lake Winnipesaukee; boating, fishing, and relaxing with family and friends. He enjoys musical theater and live performances.  He and his wife, Annette, a school counselor in the Belmont, NH school system, have been married for 31 years. They have two children: Abby, a physician completing her residency in Augusta, Maine, and Hunter, a CNC operator for an international company.