After devoting more than three decades to public education, James Conway, Principal of Lake George Elementary School, has announced that he plans to retire at the end of the 2025–2026 school year, closing a 36-year career marked by steady leadership and a deep commitment to students and schools.
Mr. Conway began his career in education in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he laid the foundation for a professional journey rooted in both academics and athletics. Over the years, he served in a variety of roles, including administrative and athletic district positions, before moving into school leadership. He later served as an assistant principal in Queensbury, experiences that helped shape his balanced, student-centered approach to school administration.
In 2008, Mr. Conway joined the Lake George Central School District as Principal of Lake George Elementary School. Over the next 18 years, LGES would become the most fulfilling chapter of his career. Working alongside the Board of Education, district leaders, faculty, staff, students, and families, he helped guide the school into becoming one of the highest-performing elementary schools in the Capital Region.
Among his most significant accomplishments at LGES was the introduction of the Leader in Me program, an initiative that emphasizes leadership, responsibility, and personal growth in students. The leadership program continued to transform as students and staff learned and embraced Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits, and under Mr. Conway’s guidance, LGES earned the designation as a Lighthouse School in 2019, a distinction recognizing exemplary implementation of leadership principles and school culture.
Through a shared decision-making approach, Mr. Conway led several pivotal instructional shifts at LGES. These included transitioning to a Professional Learning Community (PLC) model with tiered interventions for student support, instituting comprehensive STEM instruction, successfully launching the Pre-K program, and expanding extracurricular offerings. Throughout his tenure, he consistently championed student voice, collaboration, and academic growth, ensuring a rich and inclusive learning environment for all students
Beyond the walls of LGES, Mr. Conway has been a respected leader at the regional and state levels. He facilitated the Regional Principals Network, served as Regional Chair for the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), and most recently represented Region 6 at the state level. For the past six years, he has proudly organized the SAANYS Annual Leadership Recognition Breakfast, celebrating excellence in educational leadership across the region.
In announcing his retirement, Mr. Conway shared that while it remains “an absolute privilege to serve the students, staff, and families of this remarkable district,” he believes the coming year is the right time to transition to the next chapter of his life. He expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in his leadership and for the collaborative spirit that defines the Lake George community.
For the remainder of the school year, Mr. Conway will continue to serve LGES with the same dedication and integrity that have defined his tenure, working closely with district leadership to ensure a smooth transition to the next principal. While his retirement marks the end of an era, his impact on LGES, and the countless students, educators, and families he has served, will be felt for years to come.