For the first time in nearly two decades, Eureka Springs Elementary School will have a new principal next school year.

At its regular meeting held Monday, Feb. 9, the school board approved the hiring of Michael Smith as the district’s new elementary school principal.

Smith, currently the K-12 principal in the Alpena School District, will start July 1 and replaces Clare Haozous, who has been in charge of the school for the past 18 years.

“He’s done a really good job there,” Eureka Springs Superintendent Bryan Pruitt said of Smith’s time as principal of Alpena’s entire district. “He understands curriculum, he understands professional development, and he’s a good people person.”

While Pruitt said the district is excited to hire someone of Smith’s caliber and experience, losing Haozous is bittersweet.

“We’re excited for her and her retirement opportunities and getting to do things, but we’ll miss her as well because she’s done a great job in her leadership role at Eureka Springs Elementary,” he said.

While Smith won’t officially be on the district’s payroll until July 1, he will begin to make visits to the campus to start getting familiar with the school, Pruitt said.