A new assistant principal was hired for Simle Middle School. Mari Fridgen will replace outgoing assistant principal Sherry Heaton.

"Mari has been actively involved in our professional development programs, Balanced Scorecard goal-setting and Professional Learning Communities," assistant superintendent John Salwei said.

Fridgen started working in Bismarck Public Schools 10 years ago as a substitute teacher. She then worked at Will-Moore Elementary School and Horizon Middle School. At Horizon, she taught history and math.

She participated in an administrative internship at Simle and Moses Elementary School. She graduated from Concordia College with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She received a middle school endorsement from North Dakota State University and earned a master's degree in school administration from University of Mary in 2007.

Fridgen will start her new job Aug. 1. Heaton will be principal at Horizon Middle School, replacing Rudy Steidl, who retired.