(Springfield, MO) -- The principal at Wanda Gray Elementary school will be moving a short distance away next school year, as principal of the new elementary school being built in the southwest part of Springfield.

The R-12 school board voted in closed session last night to appoint Chris Mendel.  The school will open in August, 2009, but Mendel will begin her new duties January 5.
She will have to hire staff and work with construction teams toward finishing the school in time for class to begin in the fall.

According to a news release from the R-12 district,  Angie Carder will replace Mendel as principal at Gray Elementary School. Carder has been serving as assistant to the principal and Gray and Disney Elementary schools since 2006.