DIXFIELD – Dan Hart is coming home.

The Dirigo High School principal who set a record for longevity as Dixfield High School principal is leaving at the end of seven years on June 30.

On July 1, he begins work as principal of Telstar Regional High School in Bethel.

“I wasn’t looking for a job change,” said the 52-year-old who lives in Bethel. “I was approached by people in SAD 44.”

Hart will replace Ted Davis, the man who hired him as a guidance counselor at Telstar Regional High School in 1982. For 11 years, Hart served as a guidance counselor there before becoming director of student services at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico, then assistant principal at Tripp Middle School in Turner, followed by his work as principal at Dirigo High School.

SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward said Hart will be difficult to replace.

“There’s a shortage of administrators. Dan has set a very high standard and has done some great things,” Ward said.

Hart’s resignation will be officially submitted at the May 12 board meeting.

“He has been geared toward helping staff improve offerings of more rigorous curriculum, and has helped student aspirations,” Ward said. “The pool is pretty small out there, but I’m optimistic.”

Hart replaced Principal Gil Eaton.

Dirigo High School has a student enrollment of 350 students, down from a high of about 400 a couple of years ago. Telstar enrolls about 280 students.

During his tenure, he said team building, with the help of staff and students, has been one of his proudest accomplishments

“There’s a team here of staff and students, a positive school culture and climate, of respect toward one another. We do a lot of proactive things, and try to nip discipline in the bud. Trust and respect are always on my mind when I come here each morning,” he said.

Helping to achieve safe schools is one of his greatest accomplishments, he said, along with shared leadership.

“One of our commendations from the accreditation team is school leadership,” he said. “The Professional Learning Committee helps teachers learn from each other and to work together.”

The late arrival Wednesday mornings has provided the time for staff to work together to reach some of their goals.

During Hart’s tenure, the school received more than a million dollars in grants, he said.

Some of the things he has tried at Dirigo will likely be tried at Telstar as well, such as working toward a more positive school culture and creating more community partnerships. He also hopes to discuss possible partnerships with Gould Academy, a private school in Bethel.

Hart earns $75,700. The package from Telstar includes fewer days, and is closer to home.

Hart and is wife, Julie, who is grants administrator for Mahoosuc Kids, an after-school and summer program for students, have two daughters who graduated from Telstar Regional High School.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Dirigo. It’s a great community and a great district,” he said.