Paula White
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 11/98) - The Yellowknife Catholic school board chose the principal of St Patrick's high school as its new superintendent.

Kern Von Hagen will take over as superintendent effective July 1, 1999. The board made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

"It wasn't an easy choice to make," said board chair Noel O'Sullivan. "We had excellent candidates."

O'Sullivan said the board posted the job about six weeks ago when current superintendent Loretta Foley announced she would be retiring next June.

"This is a strange moment for me," Foley said. "Very emotional, very exciting."

During Foley's eight years as superintendent, the district has undergone several major changes. The current high school opened in 1995 and the board recently approved a proposal to replace Weledeh Catholic school. The $9.2-million project includes construction of a new gymnasium which will be attached to the gymnasium at St Pat's.

"We made many changes in eight years, so to leave before this point would have been very unfair to everybody," Foley explained.

Von Hagen, who has been principal at St Pat's for the past six years, said he is looking forward to taking over as superintendent.

"The community can expect the same style of leadership and the way of operating will remain stable," Von Hagen commented. "We are looking forward to a continued positive relationship with the community."