(KNZA)--A new Holton Elementary School principal has been hired, effective next school year.

USD 336 Superintendent Bob Davies tells MSC News that Karen Williams has been hired for the position, and has verbally accepted.

The USD 336 Board of Education during a special meeting Monday evening voted to offer Williams a two-year contract, with an annual salary of $75,000.

Williams comes to the Holton School District from Topeka's USD 501. She served as principal at Randolph Elementary School from 2014 until January of this year.  Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Ross Elementary.

Williams grew up in Horton and is married with two children.

Davies says Williams was among six candidates interviewed for the Holton principal position from about 15 applicants.

She will replace Beth Smith, who was going to stay on at the school as an administrator in a different position.  However, the Topeka Capital Journal reports that Smith has been hired as the new assistant principal at Topeka’s McEachron Elementary School.  Smith is to begin her new job July 18th.