Parkland School Board has appointed Robert L. Holmes principal of Ironton Elementary School.

He will replace Lynette Smith, who will retire at the end of this school year.

Holmes has been with the district since 1997.

He served as an English teacher at Parkland High School for eight years and then became a dean of students at Springhouse Middle School in 2005.

Holmes was then hired as an assistant principal at Springhouse Middle School in July 2006.

He twice served as acting principal while Springhouse Principal Michelle Minotti was out on childrearing leave.

This semester, Holmes is working on a special assignment as an assistant elementary principal under the leadership of various Parkland elementary school principals.

This assignment is giving him an excellent elementary experience.

Holmes earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education and Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction from Kutztown University.

He completed his principal's certification at the Pennsylvania State University, majoring in education administration.

District Richard Sniscak commented on the appointment.

"Mr. Holmes has an outstanding work ethic and a love for children that shines through on a daily basis," Sniscak said. "He has proven he possesses the necessary skills, abilities and personal characteristics to be a highly effective principal.

"We congratulate him and wish him the very best at Ironton Elementary School."