WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg School Board announced the selection of Garrison Middle Assistant School Principal Mark Pickel as the new District superintendent and elementary school principal on May 1. Pickel has accepted the position and will assume duties July 1, pending successful contract negotiations.

The District held preliminary interviews with four applicants and narrowed the field to two finalist, Pickel and Guy Strot of Kalama, Wash. Each candidate spent a day in the District, meeting with district staff, community members, students and board members, prior to the selection.

School board c...