Ernie Seevers has been appointed Sanislo Elementary School's new principlal for the 2009-2010 school year.

Seevers, an educator with 25 years experience, is currently in his fifth year as principal at AS #1, an alternative K-8 in Pinehurst.

Having worked with Seattle Public Schools for 15 years, Seevers has also been an educator in the Lake Washington and Tacoma school districts, teaching middle and high school math and science.

Seevers has a bachelor of science in middle school education with a concentration in math from North Georgia State College and a master's degree from Antioch University.

The principal announcements, which include nine others and were made by Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson and Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno, are a direct or indirect result of the capacity management process, according to the district.

On Jan. 29, the Seattle School Board approved the final recommendations for capacity management, which closed several schools, including the Cooper Elementary program here.

The principal appointments will become effective July 1, 2009 and additional appointments will be announced in the coming months.

"With the capacity management plan approved, we want to begin implementation as soon as possible in order to be ready for next year," said Goodloe-Johnson. "Making these decisions now strengthens the newly appointed principal's ability to work in collaboration with the current principal, staff and families as plans are made for the 2009-2010 school year. We know that high quality educational leadership in our schools is a key strategy for academic success."

The city wide implications of the board's vote in January are as follows:

School buildings to close: Genesee Hill (home of Pathfinder K-8), Mann, T.T. Minor, Van Asselt and Old Hay.

Programs to discontinue: Cooper, African American Academy, Meany, T.T. Minor and Summit K-12.

Relocated programs: Pathfinder K-8 to Cooper, Half of Lowell APP to Thurgood Marshall, Half of Washington APP to Hamilton, NOVA to Meany, SBOC to Meany, T.T. Minor Montessori to Leschi, Thurgood Marshall EBOC to Dunlap and Hawthorne,Van Asselt to African American Academy.

New program: New K-8 at Jane Addams