Steve Willard has been chosen the new superintendent for Belle Fourche Public Schools.

The principal at Belle Fourche High School since 2000, Willard was born in Watertown and grew up in Revillo. He has degrees from Northern State University, South Dakota State University and is completing his doctoral thesis on alternative high school education at the University of South Dakota through the West River graduate education center.

Willard, 51, has six children, including two students in Belle Fourche schools. His wife, Mary Lou, is a paraprofessional at South Park Elementary School.

School board president Bev Banks said the appointment was at a special board meeting Monday.

Two other South Dakota administrators were considered, Banks said, "But in the end, the board just decided Mr. Willard is the best person for the job."