After months of searching and interviews, the last of Andover's open principal positions has been filled. Superintendent Claudia Bach announced she has hired Dr. Colleen McBride, a Beverly principal, as the next principal of South Elementary School.

South principal Eileen Woods announced her retirement in January after heading the school since 1993. Woods has been named Massachusetts principal of the year and Andover's unsung hero in past years.

"I think the transition will go well. When Dr. Woods announced her retirement, there was a collective gasp, an 'Oh my gosh.' She's so beloved. But Dr. McBride has a lot of qualities in common (with Woods)," said Judy Norton, a South parent and member of the principal search committee. "She definitely has a sense of humor, but is no nonsense, straightforward. She will fit in really well at the school. I can't imagine a better candidate coming out of that candidate search. We were worried, it was so long and did several rounds, but we got the best candidate out there."

McBride is principal at the McKeown School, a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school in Beverly, a position she has held since 2000. She began her teaching career as a health science and physical education teacher at the Winter Hill School (K-8) in Somerville in the 1980s.

McBride received her bachelors degree from Boston State/University of Massachusetts, her master of education degree from Salem State College and her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

McBride was able to meet Woods when she visited the school for an interview, she said.

"I'm delighted to step into that role. Dr. Woods is an icon, a legend. Having met her, I know I'll have total support. She has invested a lot of time in her community, I can see why she's so well-revered," McBride said. "I'm from a very large family, so I appreciate that sense of community and working together."

McBride sat for an hourlong interview with the search committee and then walked around South with Norton and kindergarten teacher Connie Barber, meeting parents, students and teachers.

McBride said that day was "a very thorough process," but enjoyable.

"It was an opportunity to meet many people from the school community, and I got a tremendous sense of how much they care about their school. It only made me more excited about the position," McBride said of her day of interviews. "To have that kind of support is tremendous, and you can feel it when you go through the building."

McBride had brought to the interview a scrapbook full of activities she's done as principal, said Norton — including photos of her dressed for Halloween as Cruella De Vil from the movie "101 Dalmatians."

That same day, McBride also met with a panel of elementary principals from the other Andover schools.

Before coming to Beverly, McBride was the principal of the Roosevelt School in Melrose, and the Soule School in Salem, N.H., both pre-kindergarten through grade five schools.

Since 2007 McBride has been an adjunct professor with the American International College, teaching courses on advanced analysis reading disabilities, reflective practitioner, classroom management, classroom assessment and educational leadership, organization and the institutional change process.

"To have an individual of Dr. McBride's experience and credentials come to Andover is especially gratifying in these times of major administrator shortages, and speaks volumes, I sincerely believe, to the outstanding reputation of South School," Bach said in a letter to the South School community. "People in Beverly spoke of her ongoing focus on children, her extensive curricular and instructional knowledge, that she is a listener and a seeker of good solutions. They spoke of her community outreach. Under Dr. McBride, they said, 'It is Nirvana here.'"

Norton said she feels the transition between Woods and McBride will be smooth though bittersweet for the South community. Woods has been putting together a notebook of information to help McBride next year, she said.

"Because I think so highly of Dr. Woods, it (the transition) will be seamless. Knowing Dr. Woods, she's only a phone call away. Dr. Woods loves South School, there's always going to be a bond there," Norton said.

"I can't say enough about Dr. Woods, but I'm excited about next year. Change is good. You have to make the best of the situation and I feel we found the best candidate."

The South PTO plans to invite McBride to the school's upcoming ice cream social, planned for June 10.

A bumpy ride: the South School principal search

r South principal Eileen Woods announced her retirement in January after heading the school since 1993.

r The first week of April, Human Resources Director Candace Hall reopened the search for a Wood's replacement, unsatisfied with the candidate pool after a three-month search.

r Human resources had spoken of naming a replacement by mid-March.

r The School Department accepted South principal applications until April 25, and began interviews with a search committee of South parents, teachers and staff.

r McBride was announced as Wood's replacement on May 23 and will assume the position on July 1.

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Andover's principal shift

In the last year, five out of Andover's 10 public schools have acquired new principals. When school opens next fall for the 2008-09 year, all 10 of the town's public school principals will have been hired by Superintendent Claudia Bach.

r South Elementary principal Eileen Woods will retire July 1 and be replaced by Dr. Colleen McBride, an educator currently working as principal at a pre-k through fifth-grade school in Beverly.

r Liz Roos, assistant principal at West Elementary, was recently promoted to the principal position at her school, taking over for Charles Friel.

r Theresa McGuinness, assistant principal at Doherty Middle School, was promoted to the principal position at her school, effective July 1, when current principal Bruce Maki retires after 20 years in Andover.

r Steve Jankauskas retired as Sanborn Elementary School principal last June after seven years at the helm and a total of 37 years in Andover schools, replaced by Patricia Barrett.

r Former West Middle School principal Denise Holmes retired Dec. 31, 2007, citing health issues, and then-assistant principal Steve Murray stepped into her position.