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The Pullman School Board has appointed a new superintendent, set to begin his post July 1.

Assistant superintendent, Robert Maxwell, will take over the job after current superintendent Paul Sturm retires at the end of the school year.

The Pullman School Board appointed Maxwell as assistant superintendent three years ago, Sturm said. They did this to insure a smooth transition upon Sturm’s retirement.

“Planning ahead was a real advantage to the school district,” Sturm said.

Both Sturm and the school board are satisfied with Maxwell’s performance as assistant superintendent.

He has all the appropriate credentials and he is very well prepared, Sturm said.

“I have absolutely no reservations, I expect he will be a better superintendent than I was,” Sturm said.

Dean Kinzer, president of the Pullman School Board said Maxwell has been very involved since the beginning of his work in the Pullman School District.

Maxwell said challenges as superintendent will include construction of a new elementary school, completion of construction of a new high school and adopting a new social studies curriculum for middle school students.

Some construction projects in the Pullman School District finished ahead of schedule and under budget, Kinzer said. The extra funds will be used to build additional classrooms on Jefferson Elementary School this summer.

“The school district is in a great place financially,” Sturm said.

He said Pullman School District will soon be hiring new teachers because the amount of students is increasing.

“I think our future is very bright, everyone has been very generous and supportive,” Maxwell said.

Kinzer said the school board is very pleased with Maxwell as future superintendent.

Maxwell said he has spent some time in Seattle this week recruiting teachers for the Pullman School District.

Reporting by Forrest Holt