Students at five high schools south of the river will notice new faces in the principal's office this year, due to retirements, a resignation and a case of administrative musical chairs.

One new face is former Farmington High School Principal Ben Kusch, who moved to Shakopee High School, leaving his Farmington post after six years. He's "starting over in a very positive way," he said.

In Farmington, new Principal Jason Berg moved up from the assistant principal role, after previously serving as a curriculum specialist, math teacher and coach in the district.

Henry Sibley High School in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan district has experienced some turnover in recent years, with Ryan Redetzke unexpectedly announcing his resignation in June 2014 after just a year in the position.

Now, Ronald Monson will be the school's third leader in three years. He was an assistant principal in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district before taking on this role.

"My excitement is around community and culture," he said.

At Lakeville South High School, John Braun is the new principal, replacing Scott Douglas, who led the school since its opening a decade ago. Braun was principal at Lake Marion Elementary in the Lakeville district for 24 years before deciding to try a new leadership challenge toward the end of his career, he said.

Finally, St. Thomas Academy, the private, Catholic, all-male military academy in Mendota Heights, recently hired an alumnus as its new headmaster. Matt Mohs graduated from the school in 1990 and was most recently an administrator for the St. Paul district.

He's grateful for how St. Thomas shaped his life, and the new job was the only one for which he would have left St. Paul, he said.

Mohs replaced Thomas Mich, who retired last summer after 10 years as headmaster.