Hermitage school directors Wednesday hired a Lawrence County man to fill the position of middle school principal.

Robert Kwiat, 33, of Wilmington Township has worked as Hickory High School assistant principal since August. The new position opened after Principal Sandra Dunham, 54, of Transfer announced she would retire at the end of this school year after 10 years in the post.

"I'm fortunate that we have a board that will promote from within and give me this opportunity," said Kwiat, a Neshannock High School alumnae.

Kwiat was chosen after the school board interviewed about a dozen candidates, said board President Duane Piccirilli, and the board set his salary at $63,500. Mrs. Dunham's salary at the end of her tenure is $77,100.

"We're looking forward to working with him in his new role," said Superintendent Karen Ionta. "The majority of his teaching experience is with sixth grade and his experience as assistant principal with nine through 12 in the high school will make a nice transition going into this school."

The middle school is made up of seventh- and eighth- graders, she said.

Kwiat taught sixth and fourth grades and was an enrichment and technology teacher in the Neshannock school system for eight years, as well as a junior varsity basketball coach. He was been with Hermitage since last summer.

Kwiat graduated from Edinboro University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and from Youngstown State University with a master's in education administration.

"As much as I love the high school, with their great students and great staff, the middle school suits me," said Kwiat. "I think with my experience, I can help the students in all the changes they're going to go through. They are an enthusiastic age to work with."