On Thursday night, the school board unanimously picked David Bernhardson as the new superintendent of Inver Grove Heights Community Schools.

Most recently, Bernhardson served as assistant superintendent for South Washington County schools, but resigned from that post in March.

"The board members look forward to an exciting future for the district," said Cindy Nordstrom, board member.

Previously, Bernhardson was a principal at Inver Grove Elementary in the Inver Grove Heights district from 1998 to 1999, before that school was closed. He then took a position with South Washington County as principal of Woodbury Elementary from 1999 to 2006. Prior to being an administrator, he was a teacher in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district.

The other finalist for superintendent was John Bezek, who is currently assistant superintendent with the Shakopee district.

Bernhardson will be voted in during the next board meeting on May 5. He will officially begin the job on July 1, 2014, replacing Deirdre Wells, who has served in the role for nine years.