Columbia Falls High School will see a change in leadership next year.

Scott Gaiser, assistant principal for 15 years, recently was named interim principal for the 2012-13 school year.

Gaiser replaces Alan Robbins, who took a position as principal of University High School in Spokane Valley, Wash. Robins was principal at Columbia Falls for the past five years.

 John Thompson was named interim assistant principal. Thompson has been with the district for 15 years and has served as activities director and physics teacher.

Troy Bowman, a physical education teacher and athletic trainer, will fill Thompson’s position as interim activities director and continue teaching some classes.

Gaiser, Bowman and Thompson took the positions with the understanding that they may move back to their former positions if necessary.

The interim positions were created because there were not enough qualified applicants for the position due to late advertisement of the position.

Gaiser said he is looking forward to his new role as principal.

“It’s a good team. I think everyone understands we work as a whole faculty and if we work together we can make good things happen,” Gaiser said.

In other school district news, Glacier Gateway Elementary School Principal Dot Wood was reassigned as district curriculum director following the retirement of Marilyn LaSorte. The district now looks to fill the principal position at Glacier Gateway.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.