On Monday night, the Mandan School Board approved a contract, confirming Jean Schafer as Fort Lincoln Elementary School's new principal.

"Jean was the favorite of the majority. She just brought a good feeling," MandanSchool Board member Tom Arenz said.

Schafer was selected out of five interviewed candidates and 19 applicants, Arenz said.

Mandan School Board President Kirsten Baesler said the board was pleased with the high number of applicants.

Schafer was chosen, in part, because she has experience working in schools similar to Fort Lincoln in size and student population, Superintendent Wilfred Volesky said.

"We looked at the school, and there is kind of a diverse population there," Arenz said.

About 450 students attend Fort Lincoln.

Schafer served as assistant principal at Jeannette Myhre Elementary School in Bismarck, where she gained leadership experience.

She also worked as a teacher and reading coach in the Bismarck School District for 12 years.

The Bismarck School Board approved Schafer's resignation Monday night.

Schafer said she is excited to be working in the Mandan School District because her children went to Mandan schools.

She believes the city of Mandan and its schools are in a state of growth.

"The Mandan School Board is excited about having (Schafer) hired, and we look forward to working with her at Fort Lincoln," Baesler said.

Former Fort Lincoln Elementary School Principal Owen Stockdill has transferred to Lewis and Clark Elementary School, where he will replace retired Principal Shirley Reed.

(Reach reporter Alyssa Schafer at 250-8264 or alyssa.schafer@;bismarcktribune.com.)