AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Austintown Local School Board hired a new superintendent Friday.

Board members held a special session, choosing current Fitch High School Principal Tim Kelty to succeed the retiring David Cappuzzello.

Cappuzzello will step down June 30.

Kelty was picked from a group of six applicants and his contract will be for five years, including Stow-Munroe High School principal, Dr. Jeffrey Hartmann and Austintown Local Schools assistant principal, Holly Welch.

“His body of work, especially the last three or four years at Fitch High School, has been fantastic. He had a really monumental hand in that building really showing what it can do,” said Sherwood.

Kelty has been with the district for the last 24 years, including 18 as an administrator. He also spent six years as a football and baseball coach. He is currently the Austintown Local Schools principal.

Kelty went to Youngstown State University and got his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1995 and a master’s degree there for administration in 2000.

“This is a great community, been here since I’ve been little. I’ve been an Austintown kid and we’re gonna move forward. Honestly, the community knows, you know, because they’re great people too,” said Kelty.

Kelty said it was “a sincere honor” to be chosen. He is an Austintown native and graduated from Fitch High School.

Kelty will officially take over as Superintendent July 1. His contract will be for the next five years.

He says one of his goals with be retaining teachers and staff in the district, which was recently named one of the top 15 in the state of Ohio.