After spending the past 25 years in America’s last frontier, a new principal is coming to town.

The Oak Harbor School Board last week named Michael “Mick” Wykis principal of Clover Valley Elementary School.

Wykis is currently principal of Sears Elementary School of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska. His 25-year career in Alaska includes stints as an assessment director, high school principal and high school assistant principal. He is retiring from that district before moving to Oak Harbor.

He said he chose to come to Oak Harbor because the area provides a small town atmosphere while providing a lot of educational opportunities for students.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Wykis said in a telephone interview.

Wykis said that he and his wife, Karen, also wanted to move here to be closer to their children. He said he fell in love with the area after past visits to Western Washington.

Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Rick Schulte said Wykis’ experience made him the right candidate for the position.

“He’ll be an asset to the entire administrative team, as well as to the staff and students at Clover Valley Elementary,” Schulte said in a written statement.

Schulte said that Alaska is similar to Washington in requiring curriculum be aligned to state standards and statewide tests are used to gauge student abilities and school progress.

Wykis will replace Ric Packard, who is retiring after five years as principal at Clover Valley Elementary School.

Wykis said he plans to visit Oak Harbor again in late May to find a home and he anticipates moving here sometime in July.