The Hermitage school board hired an assistant high school principal from New Wilmington Monday.

W. Chris Gill, 30, Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, will leave his job as a fourth-grade teacher at Wilmington Elementary School after six years to take on the challenges of Hickory High School.

"I'm excited about the idea of being in an administrative position in Hermitage," said Gill, who has a master's in education administration from Youngstown State University and a bachelor's in elementary education from Edinboro State University.

"The Hermitage school district has a very good reputation for taking care of their students' needs and hiring quality individuals to teach them," he added. Gill was also the dean of students at Wilmington Middle School during the 2000-01 school year.

The board set Gill's salary at $57,900.

He takes the place of another Wilmington area resident, Robert Kwiat, 33, who recently took the position of middle school principal, replacing Sandra Dunham, 54, of Transfer, who retired at the end of this school year after 10 years in the post. Kwiat had held the assistant high school principal position since August.

Gill was hired from a pool of about nine, according to Superintendent Karen Ionta.

"He has a great regard for education," Mrs. Ionta said. "He has excellent instructional and leadership abilities. He's very vibrant, enthusiastic and energetic."

Added board President Duane Piccirilli, "He will complement the high school staff. We look forward to having him join the team."