ROYAL CITY - Long-time teacher and coach Andrew Perkins has been elevated to the position of athletic director (AD) of the Royal School District.

Perkins takes over for Rick Follett, who has become the Royal High School vice principal and dean of students. He will be Perkins's mentor as Perkins delves fully into school administration.

According to Perkins, Follett will be in charge of finding a replacement for former baseball coach Darin Christensen. Christensen left coaching to devote more time to his family.

Perkins, who has a science degree and teaching certificate from Central Washington University, has taught various classes at the middle school and high school.

Perkins was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and publisher of the Royal Review.

One of Perkins's first projects as an AD will involve publishing. He hopes to convert the football and basketball game programs into newsletters highlighting school happenings.