Five Bismarck Public Schools will have new principals next year.

The changes are because of three retirements. Myhre Elementary Principal Bill Demaree, Saxvik Elementary School Principal Ron Becker and Solheim Elementary School Principal Kathy Barnett are retiring at the end of this school year.

Solheim fifth-grade teacher Michele Svihovec will be principal at Prairie Rose Elementary School. Her move to Prairie Rose is possible because the current principal there, Jean Hall, will take over at Myhre Elementary.

"It is a different perspective on education and a different avenue," Svihovec said about her new position.

She was in the first group of teachers to complete the principal mentorship program. Then it was a semester-long program instead of a quarter long. She worked with Demaree and Riverside Principal Fran Rodenburg. She also completed a shadowing program with Assistant Superintendent Rick Buresh.

"She has participated in all of the aspiring principal programs provided in our district and has distinguished herself in all her assignments," Buresh said.

The other new hires are John Alstad, an assistant principal at West Side Elementary School in West Fargo, and Keith Walz, a middle school principal in Elko, Nev. Alstad will be principal at Miller Elementary School, and Walz will be principal at Solheim Elementary School. Current Miller Elementary Principal Maynard Gunderson will move to Saxvik Elementary School.

Alstad has taught at several West Fargo elementary schools. Walz also has been an elementary principal and teacher, and he is from North Dakota.

"We look forward to the contributions of these new leaders and hope staff, parents, students and the community will join us in welcoming them to their new roles and helping them find success and fulfillment," Buresh said.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)