Starting next fall, Lakeridge Principal Fred Rundle will be the new director of Learning Services at the Mercer Island School District. Rundle was chosen to take over for Kathy Morrison, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Rundle has been the principal at Lakeridge for the last four years.

“He’s done an outstanding job and sees this as the next logical step in his career,” said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Gary Plano. “He has very deep shoes to fill, but we know he will do a great job.”

Rundle thanked the board and said he was excited about the new position, but even more excited that it meant staying in the same district.

“What’s exciting about this is that I get to say goodbye, but that I don’t have to leave the district,” said Rundle. “Thank you.”

With his new position at the district office, Lakeridge will be looking for a new principal. Later this week, the application period for the position will close. The position is a full-time job, with a starting salary of $113,712.

The board also recognized two other appointments at the meeting. Tara Stone, currently the interim associate principal at Islander Middle School, will become the associate principal next year, working with co-principals Mary Jo Budzius and Aaron Miller.

Lindsay Myatich will also be rejoining the district as the assistant director of learning services, working in special education. Myatich, who is getting her doctorate at the University of Washington, previously worked with Rundle at Lakeridge.