SOUTH PORTLAND — South Portland High School has a new principal.

James Holland received unanimous approval for the job Monday from the School Board. Holland has been principal at Livermore Falls High School for one year. He replaces Jeanne Crocker, who after 13 years at SPHS is taking a position with the Maine Principal’s Association.

Before becoming principal at Livermore Falls, Holland was assistant principal at Cony High School in Augusta for six years. In 2009 he was nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals Association. He previously taught science at Cony for 18 years.

Holland and his wife are in the process of moving to a new home in Freeport, and he said he expects to be moved in by the time school starts. He has already taken up office hours and invites students, parents and community members to stop in anytime.

“I’m really anxious to meet students,” Holland said in an interview. “I’ve met a few already, but there aren’t a lot of kids around in the summer.”

Holland said he’d soon send an introduction letter to parents, and that he’d visit with the fall athletic teams, who start practicing a few weeks before school begins.

Holland will make more than $93,000 in annual salary, according to Sue Shaw, the School Department payroll administrator.

Mario Moretto can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or mmoretto@theforecaster.net. Follow Mario on Twitter: @riocarmine.

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