LORDSTOWN – Lordstown Local Schools named Poland resident James M. Vivo as the district’s first K-12 principal, a move district officials say will save the school system $84,000.

The Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday granted Vivo a two-year limited administrative contract of 215 days at $75,000.

Incoming Superintendent Terry Armstrong said Vivo was selected from 24 applicants who sought the position and was among the four finalists.

”We had a lot of great candidates. We were very happy with our choice,” Armstrong said.

Vivo served 11 years as a business teacher and nine years in administration, including the past four years as assistant principal at the Choffin Career Center in Youngstown.

Armstrong said the district went from two principals – one in each of the two buildings – to one overall to save about $84,000 a year.

Both buildings already share a guidance counselor and nurse.

The district’s current two principals’ contracts were not renewed ending this summer. Armstrong said Vivo was selected because ”he was from the local area, had a lot of passion for education, and had good ideas to implement for the district.”

”Those who interviewed him said they good see him in our schools working with our staff and students,” he said.

Vivo has served 11 years as a business teacher and nine years in administration, including the past four years as assistant principal at the Choffin Career Center in Youngstown.

He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with teaching certification from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in education.