Raynor was principal of the upper school for 16 years before agreeing to lead the administrative team through the second half of last year and assuming the role of interim head of school this year.

The SSDS board of trustees offered her the position in November and approved her appointment on Jan. 8.

“The fit is a good one,” she said. “I have been with the school long enough to know the history. There will be less of a learning curve, and I know the players.”

SSDS board president Mark Lederman was effusive about the appointment.

“We are very, very fortunate that Joyce Raynor has agreed to lead our school,” he said. “It’s not often you have the opportunity to have someone interview while they’re already doing the job.”

Her tenure technically began on Jan. 1, but “since she took over — really last spring — she has proved to be a phenomenal team builder and leader,” Lederman said. “She has a unique instinct for the school and what it needs to raise it to the next educational level. She’s highly regarded by community rabbis, parents, and donors. She’s got it all.”

Raynor joined Schechter in 1984 as a part-time teacher of Bible. She has served as teacher and administrator and sent her own children to the school.

Raynor replaces Seth Linfield, a former Indiana attorney who came to the school in 2003 and resigned in December 2005.

Raynor said that during Linfield’s tenure “there have been ups and downs,” but she believes the school is “moving forward.”

“The sense I have is that the school is calm right now,” she said. “We have turned a corner. Things have changed, and there’s a positive feeling here now. The school is moving forward.”

She added, “I think because I have been in the school for such a long time as a teacher, administrator, and parent, I bring a sense of stability and permanence.”

Raynor said the school’s search for her successor as high school principal is quickly winding down, and she expects to make an announcement within a matter of weeks.

She has already begun implementing changes at the school, from setting into motion long-planned upper school renovations (ground breaking will occur over the summer) to bringing in a consultant, together with the board, to do a full institutional assessment resulting in the creation of a strategic plan for the school.

Raynor’s vision for the school includes ensuring an “outstanding” academic program with “engaging and knowledgeable faculty members and students who are excited about what they are learning.”

In terms of curricula, Raynor expressed a particular interest in creating enrichment programs in math, science, and technology, something she has already received a grant toward implementing. She also hopes to integrate the Judaic studies program so that the formal lessons and experiential learning work together “as a holistic Jewish program.”

Raynor is also focusing on technology. “We are moving toward making sure all the teachers feel comfortable using technology and that it is part and parcel of the curriculum. We want to have the technology in the classroom and provide ongoing education for the teachers.”

She said her hopes also include the school’s producing “committed, knowledgeable Jews who want to be leaders and strong members of the Jewish community.”

She believes connecting students to the larger Jewish community as well as the general community in West Orange is critical. Students will continue existing hesed, or service, programs in both arenas and create new ones, from cleaning up areas of West Orange to recycling and other environmental programs in the school, and expanding programs like the 11th-grade weekly trips to the Daughters of Israel geriatric center.