North Stonington — Wheeler High School/Middle School Associate Principal Kristen St. Germain will take over as principal of the school in July.

St. Germain joined the district last summer to take the place of former Associate Principal Jay Apacelli. She taught English language arts for 19 years at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, where she also held a number of administrative positions, including English language arts coordinator and president of the board of directors of the Old Lyme Children's Learning Center.

When St. Germain came to Wheeler, she "immediately immersed herself in the school and the culture," Superintendent Peter Nero said.

The Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to appoint St. Germain, who will take the place of interim Principal Don Macrino, the retired Waterford High School principal who has served as principal since the departure last November of former Principal Chris Sandford, who left to take a position at Woodstock Academy.

Wheeler now will begin its search for a new associate principal. St. Germain will remain in that position until her official start date as principal July 1.

a.isaacs@theday.com